Jazz bands feature seniors at lively final concert
Greg Peterson
Issue date: 5/28/10 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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The Lawrence University Jazz Band opened its set with "Fly By Romance," a straight-ahead swing arrangement of a Rodgers and Hart tune. While the horns played energetically, the melodic lines lacked clarity at times and the band's sound was muddled in the most complicated sections.
The highlight of the Jazz Band's set was "Piré," an Afro-Latin piece driven by the band's three percussionists. On drumset, freshman Patrick Marschke kept the beat lively and exciting, but the extra color added by Sam Lewin's congas and Kristin Olson's cowbell was the key to the groove that accompanied strong solos by saxophonist Cary Foxx and trumpeter Rob Goodwin.
The guitar solo by Jake Fisher on the band's last piece, "Wyrgly," was excellent as well.
In a softer moment on the Dave Rivello-composed "Chorale," a short solo by bassist Harrison Keeshin stood out in its vulnerability. Gently underscored by Carl Kennedy's muted piano chords and lasting only a few moments, Keeshin's solo was excellent and grabbed the audience's attention, ending seemingly just after it began.
While the band played well, the audience was distracted by the introductions given by director Patty Darling, who frequently over-introduced pieces and even went so far as to describe "Fly By Romance" as "extremely difficult."
In contrast to the overly talkative Darling was Fred Sturm, the director of the Lawrence University Jazz Ensemble. Keeping his introductions to a minimum and choosing instead to crack the occasional joke - his opening speech concluded with a declaration to the Jazz Band that "this means war!" - Sturm kept the atmosphere both relaxed and professional, allowing the music to speak for itself.
Like the Jazz Band, LUJE began with a straight-ahead swing tune, but LUJE's playing retained the energy of the first band's set and added remarkable clarity to the melodic lines. On that first piece, "Friday Night at the Cadillac Club," and on the appropriately-named "Happy Song," the band played with vigor and precision.
"Happy Song," a selection from composer Bob Bruckmeyer's "Spirit Music," featured extended solos by seniors Paul Dietrich and Dan Watkins. Dietrich's trumpet solo, which came first, was very strong, but Watkins one-upped his fellow senior with a highly enjoyable soprano saxophone solo over a bouncy ostinato from the rhythm section.
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