By David Smith
Although they may not be from Gary, Indiana, and they certainly don”t have 76 trombones, members of the Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band will be performing the concert “76 Trombones!” Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 in the Madsen Recital Hall.
A specially featured guest artist playing with the Dixieland Band is the former jazz band director at the University of Utah, Shannon Roberts. Roberts, who is proficient at many different instruments, and who is now directing music at Woods Cross High School, will be adding the sounds of his trombone with that of the 9-member group.
“I think the people that come to the [Dixieland Band] concerts just go away and think, ”Wow, that was fun. I”m glad I went,”” said Jennie Bangerter, the pianist for the Dixieland Band and a media music major from Draper.
Of the 12 jazz ensembles on campus, the Dixieland Band sets itself apart by focusing solely on traditional New Orleans style jazz.
“The way to describe it is it”s just really fun, happy music you just want to tap your foot to, dance to – it puts you in a good mood,” Bangerter said. “Some people will say it”s kind of hoaky, like Disneyland music – which it kind of is. If you went down to New Orleans, it”s what you”d hear on the streets. Or if you go down to New Orleans Street in Disneyland, it”s what you”d hear.”
Modern jazz, which was developed primarily through Louis Armstrong”s influence, typically uses a string bass or guitar for the rhythm section. The Dixieland Band uses a banjo and tuba for rhythm.
Modern jazz also focuses attention to a one-person soloist who can improvise the music and add a personal touch of character. Daniel Henderson, the trumpet player for the Dixieland Band and a trumpet performance major from Kaysville, said the original style jazz the Dixieland Band specializes in is “almost all improvising.”
This “group improvisation” lets the whole group be at liberty to break the play-as-written barrier found in most forms of music, allowing students to express themselves by playing the notes to however they may happen to feel at the moment. The performer becomes a composer and performer at the same time, Call said.
“Jazz is where it”s happening in music,” Call said. “It”s a chance to play America”s great music … Jazz is America”s classical music.”
In the 1920s, jazz was considered a low-brow music – something that would generally not be permitted at school, Call said. Over time, popularity for the American soul music grown, and today jazz is considered to be America”s great contribution to world culture, Call said.
Tickets for “76 Trombones!” may be purchased at the Fine Arts Ticket Office located in the Harris Fine Arts Center, or by calling 378-4322. General admission is $9 or $6 with BYU or student ID. Two-for-one vouchers (two tickets for $9) may be picked up outside of HFAC room E-461.
