BYU jazz groups from the School of Music united to perform "All That Jazz!”, a jazz showcase in the Music Building on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 8.
From vocalists to big bands, the showcase featured performances by BYU’s Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Legacy Band, Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Voices and Synthesis with directors Todd Campbell, Brian Woodbury, Mark Ammons, Hayley Kirkland and Benjamin Nichols, respectively.
“I Can’t Stop Loving You” by Don Gibson, “Heebie Jeebies” by Boyd Atkins and “The Bare Necessities” from "The Jungle Book" were among the various songs performed. It was a night of improvisation and easy listening that filled the concert hall with swing, jazz and blues.
Kevin West, a senior majoring in commercial music, plays the trombone for Synthesis. With over 15 years of trombone-playing experience, he said the group only had a few weeks to practice for the showcase; they began at the beginning of fall semester.
“We’re relaxed and we’ve just been having a good time,” West remarked about his team’s preparation level for the night, despite the little time they had to prepare.
He attributed their confidence to the spontaneous nature of the jazz genre. As members of the band learn to listen to each other and foster a connection, the music improves, according to West.
“I feel like we’ve all kind of relaxed around each other already,” West said.
Luke Gunnerson played the trumpet for Synthesis and Jazz Legacy Band at the showcase. Pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Music, the junior-year trumpet player explained how the performers’ connection with the audience also plays into the quality of the music.
“When we’re able to play it for an audience and see the crowd’s reaction and get into the music, it really heightens at another level,” Gunnerson said. “It allows us to be more artistic and expressive.”
An enthusiastic crowd is just what the performers got. The audience clapped along and danced in their seats to the myriad of tunes played.
One member of the audience, freshman Kate Boston, found herself blown away at the skill the musicians exhibited.
“There’s so much talent, and the sound was just so full and gorgeous,” Boston said. “Just so good.”
Synthesis closed out the showcase with an unexpected solo from drummer Jacob Ward in their final piece titled “Inner Urge” by Joe Henderson. Ward played an improvisation that nearly doubled the length of the song. Long as his solo was, it skillfully captivated the audience more than almost any other song of the night.
The “All That Jazz!” showcase is one of many performances by BYU’s School of Music this academic year. Other School of Music events can be found at onstage.byu.edu.