Introduction
Concerts dedicated to jazz music and its modern interpretation, as a rule, gather a large audience since, regardless of specific preferences, almost any listener appreciates the quality sound of jazz ensembles.
One of these events took place not long ago, and it is worth noting that the performance was wonderful. In addition to high-quality music, the public could watch the representatives of three different universities, which made the performance even more fascinating. The concert “Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival” was the party organized under the auspices of the great singer and musician Calvin Jones, and the festival celebrated its 33rd anniversary (“Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival”). In general, both the quality of music and the variability of compositions allowed receiving great pleasure.
Description of the Concert
The concert’s location was the College of Arts and Science, and the event took place on April 29th, 2019. The beginning was scheduled for 8 p.m., but long before that time, the public had gathered. As a result, all the seats in the hall were occupied, although there was enough space. The most interesting feature of the show was the participation of bands from three different colleges – the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Jazz Ensemble, the Howard University Jazz Ensemble, and the University of Maryland Jazz Ensemble. The scene was relatively close to the seats, and the acoustics were good. There was no emphasis on a light show since such effects are not typical for jazz concerts.
Instrumentation, Musicality, and Repertoire
The musicians of the three colleges created an amazing atmosphere of jazz, and each composition was unique not only due to its professional performance but also through different instrumental approaches. All ensembles included the representatives of standard jazz bands – saxophonists, trombonists, trumpeters, and rhythm section musicians (“Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival”). However, each of the bands had its own vision of certain works, which they transmitted through playing.
For instance, individual parts were performed without solo singers, and all the variety of jazz as one of the most popular genres could be heard. The UDC ensemble presented the most extensive list of compositions, and their performance deserved applause due to the skill and talent of playing. It is hard to say that all the members of the UDC band adhered to a single principle of musicality. Paces, tones, and other aspects were different, and the audience probably was pleased that not only the classical techniques of syncopation and major modulations were utilized but also modern performance variations.
Technically, the musicians did an excellent job, which was their special merit since the repertoire was not easy. All the three universities presented different works, and the audience did not have to compare and evaluate the same songs. Diversity was also achieved due to the fact that individual pieces were performed not by whole ensembles but individual musicians, for example, a soloist, a trumpeter, and a pianist. This allowed making the concert even more colorful and exciting.
Personal Opinion
The whole performance deserved to be seen and heard, and the concert became a landmark event that would certainly be discussed for a long time. The musicians did an excellent job with a complex repertoire, and even the absence of any special visual effects did not disturb the harmony of the holiday. The entourage was appropriate in order to enjoy the music, and the organizers of the concert managed to create the atmosphere of a jazz festival that prevailed in the hall that evening.
Conclusion
The pleasure received from listening and watching the jazz concert performed by ensembles from three universities was achieved by the performers’ professionalism and the variety of their repertoire. The classic principles of playing were mixed with modern interpretations, which created a unique feeling of immersion in the harmony of music. The lack of special visual effects did not break the overall positive impression, and the festival became a landmark.
Work Cited
“Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival.” Web.