Filling our campus with soul and rhythm, students in the School of Music are performing jazz as it is meant to be — improvised.
“Jazz Combos” is a special musical event at the School of Music featuring small jazz ensembles highlighting a plethora of jazz styles, including New Orleans, blues and funk bebop.
A special type of musical expression, jazz fluctuates from performer to performer as it is styled after the improvisation of the player. Jazz enthusiast and senior at the U, Eric Pribyl-Eichelberger said, “I think that [jazz] is expressive and very personal. It has influenced many various styles of music and art in the world.”
Spencer Ericksen, a junior in the school of music, agreed and added, “Jazz is absolutely one of the greatest contributions America has given to the arts. Nothing holds a candle to the kind of involvement jazz provides in its improvisational freedom and therefore presence of its performers.”
Students have an incredible opportunity to hear their fellow students delve into this musical world during the upcoming Jazz Combo concert. This is a prime event to come and experience jazz for the first time.
“I think if someone is looking to get more into viewing musical performances, the Jazz Combos concert is an excellent leeway from a rock venue to a concert hall,” said Ericksen. “I have not yet met any fellow music student who does not enjoy attending jazz performances.”
“I think jazz is a good mixture of deep musical exploration put into an often more accessible medium,” he continued.
Despite the rigor and talent demanded from this genre at times, it doesn’t get as much support nor excitement from fellow music lovers. “I don’t feel like it is appreciated enough and not many people give it credit for how influential it is,” said Pribyl, adding, “I like that it is full of improv and I think it’s amazing when people can come up with their own music and how they express it.”
The School of Music is harnessing supreme talent for this event and student performers will have their own opportunity to improvise.
“Jazz performances are always memorable,” said Eriksen, “and the energy and excitement conveyed by the artists will stick with you for a long time. I would highly recommend checking it out.”
The concert will be held on Tuesday, November 22 at 7:30 pm and is located in the Libby Gardner Hall. It is free for students.