Student Band Jazzes up Chase Hall
Lauren Kawana
Issue date: 4/4/06 Section: Arts
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Last Wednesday night in Chase Hall lounge, the Bates College Jazz Band presented their winter semester concert which was full of Batesie class, funk and downright good jazz sounds. For roughly an hour, the performance featured the talents of various soloists and the fullest Bates jazz ensemble director Thomas Snow has ever conducted. After exclaiming his joy at the turn out of student musicians this semester and remarking that working with them has been an "absolute blast," Snow happily directed the band for a concert that left everyone in a good mood.
In front of a cheerful crowd, the ensemble played five songs in all, starting off with "Black Cow" by Steely Dan, featuring a solid solo by alto saxophonist B.J. Atchley '06, among others. The second piece began with the playful, effortless piano style of Matt Lambek '06 and later featured the soulful sound of soloist Greg Waters '08, tenor saxophonist. The third number began with hand clapping and percussion with an African twist. A tune off jazz musician Michael Brecker's album, "Tales from the Hudson," this song was full of dynamic beats kept alive by the three-man drums and percussion team of Pete Strumolo '07, Tom Bowden '09 and Grif Peterson '09.
At the halfway mark of the concert, the audience was treated to an upbeat performance by the Waters-Peterson-Williams "Power Trio" featuring the talents of Waters, Peterson and bassist Joe Williams '08. These three students played "On Green Dolphin Street," a tune that started with a quick, funky bass line and developed into a melody that melded both speedy, lively and sinuous, fluid jazz, truly showcasing the versatility and attentiveness of the musicians.
The full jazz ensemble then reassembled to play "Caldo's Revenge," a Joey Calderazzo song of building crescendos and moments of smooth discourse between pianist Lambek and saxophonist Waters. The night's program then came to a close with "Get a Grip," a head-mover and foot-tapper arranged by Mainer Rob Lussier that featured a rousing back and forth jam session of meticulous guitar playing by Nate Witherbee '08 and Marty Laurita '08. Overall, it was another truly enjoyable evening with the Bates College Jazz Band. Atchley's parents drove up from Connecticut to listen to the sounds and remarked that the concert was "incredibly good and a lot of fun." Director Snow relayed his thanks to Atchley, along with trombonists Alex Smith '06, Marcia Reinauer '06, and Lambek, who are all graduating this spring. Although Snow laments losing a great group of seniors, he hopes that next fall will continue to be a full and engaging year for jazz at Bates. This concert was a great opportunity to see and hear Bates' very own talented musicians perform energetic and soulful music, and for all you aspiring jazz musicians and jazz appreciators out there, fall semester is your next chance to get in on the Bates jazz band action that is as always, well worth the time.
In front of a cheerful crowd, the ensemble played five songs in all, starting off with "Black Cow" by Steely Dan, featuring a solid solo by alto saxophonist B.J. Atchley '06, among others. The second piece began with the playful, effortless piano style of Matt Lambek '06 and later featured the soulful sound of soloist Greg Waters '08, tenor saxophonist. The third number began with hand clapping and percussion with an African twist. A tune off jazz musician Michael Brecker's album, "Tales from the Hudson," this song was full of dynamic beats kept alive by the three-man drums and percussion team of Pete Strumolo '07, Tom Bowden '09 and Grif Peterson '09.
At the halfway mark of the concert, the audience was treated to an upbeat performance by the Waters-Peterson-Williams "Power Trio" featuring the talents of Waters, Peterson and bassist Joe Williams '08. These three students played "On Green Dolphin Street," a tune that started with a quick, funky bass line and developed into a melody that melded both speedy, lively and sinuous, fluid jazz, truly showcasing the versatility and attentiveness of the musicians.
The full jazz ensemble then reassembled to play "Caldo's Revenge," a Joey Calderazzo song of building crescendos and moments of smooth discourse between pianist Lambek and saxophonist Waters. The night's program then came to a close with "Get a Grip," a head-mover and foot-tapper arranged by Mainer Rob Lussier that featured a rousing back and forth jam session of meticulous guitar playing by Nate Witherbee '08 and Marty Laurita '08. Overall, it was another truly enjoyable evening with the Bates College Jazz Band. Atchley's parents drove up from Connecticut to listen to the sounds and remarked that the concert was "incredibly good and a lot of fun." Director Snow relayed his thanks to Atchley, along with trombonists Alex Smith '06, Marcia Reinauer '06, and Lambek, who are all graduating this spring. Although Snow laments losing a great group of seniors, he hopes that next fall will continue to be a full and engaging year for jazz at Bates. This concert was a great opportunity to see and hear Bates' very own talented musicians perform energetic and soulful music, and for all you aspiring jazz musicians and jazz appreciators out there, fall semester is your next chance to get in on the Bates jazz band action that is as always, well worth the time.
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