The band’s performance filled the Shack, as some attendees had to drag chairs from the inside of Mort’s to watch the ensemble
The Concert Jazz Band performed at the Shack in the Student Center at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 15. The concert paid homage to jazz trumpet players, with five of the six songs performed written by trumpet players. Admission was free and the performance lasted an hour, featuring solo improvisation sequences.
“There’s always something for everyone to do. It doesn’t feel like anyone’s redundant. There is a place for everyone, like, I’m playing on the last chair and I still got to solo and play out,” sophomore trumpet player Ben Rodebaugh said.
On Monday, April 15, 2024 at the Shack, Concert Jazz Band members tune and warm up instruments before the concert begins. Family and friends of musicians came to the concert, as well as guests attracted by the music coming from the Shack.
Sophomore drummer Olin Guillotte looks toward his band director during the melody of trumpet player Tim Hagans’ “Buckeyes.” The Concert Jazz Band has two drummers, and Guillotte played the first half of the show.
Concert Jazz Band Director Dr. Sam Griffith conducts the band through the end of their first piece, “Moontrane,” by Woody Shaw. The jazz band celebrated trumpet players with their song selections, using pieces from trumpetists Shaw, Tim Hagans and Roy Hargrove.
Junior Greyson Smallen plays drums through “Tiger Rag,” a New Orleans groove by trumpet player Nicholas Payton. The piece comes from Payton’s 2001 album “Dear Louis,” tributing Louis Armstong. “It’s nice to make every song your own,” Smallen said.
Robyne Sieh plays the keyboard during the band’s fourth song, “Palt Seanuts” by Tim Haganas. Earlier in the show, Sieh performed an improvised solo and later accompanied other soloists by playing chords.
The band and audience watch as senior saxophone player Ian Prinster takes an improvised solo. Soloists took turns playing, accompanied by the rhythm section and occasional backgrounds from the rest of the band.
Edited by Michael Baniewicz | mbaniewicz@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Natalie Kientzy and Grace Knight
Edited by Scout Hudson | shudson@themaneater.com