Jazz music not only has the ability to transport us back in time through various musical eras but also to old memories in our lives. On Wednesday, April 3, I traveled to the streets of Paris, France, and also to past loves in my own life because of music performed by the Jazz Ensembles in Ramsey Concert Hall.
There were two ensembles: Jazz Ensemble I and Jazz Ensemble II. According to the Hugh Hodgson School of Music website, Jazz Ensemble I consists of more advanced students and comprises saxophones, trombones, trumpets, drums, piano, guitar, and bass. Jazz Ensemble II, however, is an introductory ensemble that allows students to refine their improvisation skills.
Jazz Ensemble II performed first. Immediately, I could pick up on the group’s cool and collected vibe. The director and Assistant Professor of Jazz Piano and African-American Studies at Hugh Hodgson, James Weidman, thanked audience members for being there on the “lovely spring day” and said the ensemble was having a good semester exploring all kinds of sounds.
They opened with a fun piece “Day by Day,” followed by a smoother, slower, relaxing piece called “I can’t get started,” which is by Vernon Duke but was arranged by a friend of Weidman’s.
However, my favorite piece they performed was their third, “Parisian Thoroughfare,” arranged by Mark Taylor. It starts with exciting rhythmic clacking and buzzing runs to signify the bustling, crowded, and chaotic feel of these Parisian streets. As I looked around, many people were tapping their legs to the beat.
At first, the noises startled me, though. I quickly adjusted and really enjoyed the excitement of this performance. I imagined myself riding on a bike through these narrow roads, barely dodging the various shops and people nearby. There was a guitar solo that felt a bit out of place initially, but then I began to follow the progression of notes.
Ensemble II closed out their program with a funky piece by Gerry Mulligan and a smooth one with nice progressions called “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin.
Not only was Ensemble I physically larger, but they also played a couple more songs. The band was directed by David D’Angelo, a Senior Lecturer of Jazz at HHSOM. They opened with “The Blues Machine” by Sammy Nestico and continued with “Jitterbug Waltz,” arranged by Eric Richards.
I noticed several small interactions between the band members in this ensemble, which made me smile in the audience. I could tell they were all close with one another and valued the others’ artistic craft. Many would cheer each other on during soloist moments.
Similar to Ensemble II, the third piece performed by Ensemble I, called “When I Fall in Love” by Victor Young, was one that lodged me back in time. It was a beautiful ballad that left me deep in thought and reflection, which I always value when music moves me like that.
I especially loved the descension of chords at the end because it felt like stages of falling in love. It didn’t resolve right away and teased a more minor sound, which made me think of conflict and left me wondering if maybe this romance wouldn’t work out. But then, it settled into a nice chord that had a bit of dissonance — leaving a little room open for the future.
They also closed with a love song, Alan Baylock’s arrangement of “What Is This Thing Called Love?” It featured a drum solo that I really enjoyed following. Ensemble I also played “Moten Swing,” a crunchy and anticipatory piece called “Evidence” by Thelonious Monk and arranged by John Clayton, and Callum Au’s arrangement of “Let Battle Clements.”
However, my favorite performance by Ensemble I was “Sister Sadie.” The main melody was catchy and memorable. It reminded me of a sweet but sassy southern woman that everyone in town swooned over.
The soloist who performed this melody on alto saxophone did an amazing job—they really got into the music, sliding into certain notes and then whispering the theme before belting it more loudly like a back-and-forth interaction. In the end, the saxophonist and trombonist actually did go back and forth in their improvisations, and I enjoyed watching this enthusiastic and emotional performance.
This was my first time attending a Hugh Hodgson Jazz Ensembles concert—but it certainly won’t be my last. I’ve watched the school of music put on a jazz concert before, but I really enjoyed both ensemble’s ability to lodge me in place or memory on Wednesday night.
Several others seemed to agree because this was one of the most packed nights in Ramsey Concert Hall that I’ve experienced. I look forward to Jazz Ensemble’s future shows and what new feelings may arise then.
I want to share stories of artistry with the world, particularly those by minorities. I’m a junior at the University of Georgia pursuing a journalism degree, music minor, music business certificate and news literacy certificate. I vow myself to veracious storytelling because I felt the consequences when the truth remained unknown.