[Nat sound, Jazz Small Ensembles Concert, Derrick Gardner Group]
The Kevin Fort and Derrick Gardner small jazz ensembles performed music by contemporary jazz greats J.J. Johnson and Cedar Walton in the McClintock Choral and Recital Room on Monday night.
The event was open to the public and members of the Northwestern community, a perfect opportunity for jazz lovers of all ages to watch and listen to some of their favorite songs.
Jason Zhu, a tenor saxophonist in the Gardner group, said small ensemble concerts are a staple for jazz majors.
[Jason Zhu] “This is basically a jazz small ensemble concert where as a jazz major, you’re supposed to do two years of small ensemble, so that’s like a little group of musicians, like five or six. And usually it’s a rhythm section and, and horns. And what happens is, you just do arrangements and play once or twice a quarter at concerts.”
J.J. Johnson was a jazz trombonist, composer and arranger who helped popularize the bebop style. Cedar Walton was an influential hard bop jazz pianist, bandleader and composer who won the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master prize in 2010. Both Johnson and Walton’s careers spanned over five decades.
Zhu added that professor Derrick Gardner helped his ensemble bring Cedar Walton’s music to life.
[JZ] “He’s been pretty instrumental. He oversees what we do, helps with our arrangements, gives us tips and tricks about what to add, what to cut out or anything like that. He chooses beforehand every year which artists and composers that we’re gonna be playing.”
Bienen jazz guitar freshman Octavio Escamilla said he came to the concert to support his friends and hear some innovative music.
[Octavio Escamilla] “It is really interesting music. It’s a great way for people that are new to jazz to experience it for the first time.”
One of the people who have been opened up to jazz through Bienen concerts is violinist and usher Kaylin Chung.
[Kaylin Chung] I always think every time I see a jazz concert that the playing is really cool and really amazing and this time was no different. I really enjoyed the performance.
According to Chung, Bienen concerts foster a diverse community of music lovers.
[KC] “I think that attending events like this is great for building the community for classical music. And also, it just gives a greater appreciation for classical music. I think it’s just very underrated.”
McCormick Professor Emeritus Joseph Schofer said he’s attended dozens of student jazz concerts throughout his five decades at Northwestern. This time, he showed up in keyboard socks, a gift from a local jazz radio station.
[Joseph Schofer] “I come to all the jazz concerts, the student concerts, because they’re very good, they play interesting stuff, and they kind of scan the space of contemporary jazz.”
Schofer was familiar with the music of J.J. Johnson and Cedar Walton before the concert. But he said these ensembles offered a fresh take on jazz classics.
[JS] “I’ve known ‘Laura’ for, I don’t know, 50 years. And I don’t like it. This is a really cool arrangement. It was a very slow arrangement and then it got fast and it kind of grabbed your attention. So I come away thinking, ‘Oh, now my attitude toward that piece of music is completely different.’”
[“Laura” by David Raskin and Johnny Mercer, arrangement by Evan Steinkoler]
The Kevin Fort Ensemble included William Lewis on trumpet, Eli Sullivan on alto saxophone, Ikenna Eze on trombone, Evan Steinkoler on piano and vocals and Calvin Simmers on drums.
The Derrick Gardner Ensemble featured Zhu, Jack Beckner on trumpet, Brandon Harper on piano, Dante Villasenor on bass and Ethan Bouwsma on drums.
Each member of the ensembles arranged a piece for the concert.
Over the years, Schofer has watched various student musicians grow. After these small ensembles performed, he had some advice.
[JS] “I don’t know the players, but I know their faces. And tonight, what I wanted to do was go up to the first group and say, ‘You guys are very good. You could afford to smile more because I bet you’re having a good time. I’m having a good time and I really want to share it with you.’”
More small jazz ensembles will perform on October 8th, followed by the Northwestern University Jazz Orchestra on the 31st.
[“In Walked Horace” by J.J. Johnson, arrangement by Calvin Simmers]
For WNUR News, I’m Ingrid Smith, and I’m Jessica Watts.
