« A British dance band forever doomed to be popular anywhere else | Main | Big Business is big letdown »
December 14, 2004
Sounds of Hamline jazz
A soulful combination of sad and sultry blues, spicy Latin rhythms, savvy contemporary off beats, and catchy jazz standards flowed out of Sundin Concert Hall this past week as Hamline University’s Jazz Ensemble performed their annual winter concert to a full house.
The ensemble, playing under the direction of John M. Koziol, Jr., performed eight impressive pieces of musical jazz literature by renowned composers including Charles Mingus, Eddie Harris, and Johnny Mercer, among others.
The Jazz Ensemble shared the stage with two jazz combination groups formed and led by students, Jazz Combo I and Jazz Combo II.
Jazz Combo I entertained and daunted the crowd with an original composition by ensemble member and pianist Josh Schultz.
Jazz Combo II played a Miles Davis standard and crowd favorite “So What.”
The Hamline University Jazz Ensemble consists of 24 students, varied in age and major, who play the trumpet, saxophone, trombone, and rhythm sections.
Although some sections are more meager than others č the trombone section, for example, consists of two players č the Hamline University Jazz Ensemble presents a full, rich sound that blends remarkably well.
The song selection for the concert seemed to mainly favor the sax section, which is the largest section of the ensemble. Many of the songs featured saxophone solos from the alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones.
In case you missed this performance, the Hamline Jazz Ensemble has two more upcoming events this spring.
On Friday, Feb. 11, they will host an Alumni Big Band Swing Dance, and on Thursday, May 5, the Jazz Ensemble will be presentingin their annual spring concert in Sundin Music Hall.
Posted by msveum at December 14, 2004 10:50 AM