RU Jazz Ensamble

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Jazz ensemble takes students back to another era

Though the smoke and noise that’s usually commonplace at that type of establishment was absent, the excitement that followed the RU Jazz Ensemble’s performance was not.

Students sat back and relaxed while the jazz ensemble showcased its skills through a variety of solos. There were several vocal, trumpet, and drum solos. Select members of the band were given the chance to step into the limelight.

Junior Tammy Throckmorton, who attended the event, was astounded by the sheer amount of talent that was present. Throughout the performance she hooted and hollered causing others in the audience to turn around and look at her.

But she was not to be deterred from offering the band encouragement. She continued standing up and clapping when she thought someone had done a particularly good job, and for her diligent efforts Throckmorton was rewarded with a wink from one of the soloists.

Though it was her first time hearing music of this sort, Throckmorton enjoyed the performance, and expressed a desire to see more students attend activities of this nature. We pay for them to organize events like this and so it only makes sense that we attend them, she says. Besides we should support other students in whatever they do.

And though the entire concert was enjoyable, Throckmorton favored one part over the rest.

“I loved the solos, like the singing and the trumpet solos, those were my favorites. I love when an individual steps out of the crowd and does something really great that everyone can appreciate and enjoy.”

Bob Lefever, director of the jazz ensemble wasn’t surprised at Throckmorton’s response. He speaks of one engagement where the jazz ensemble was slated to play. The older people present told him they were sure they would enjoy the performance, but they predicted that none of the young people would be interested in their genre of music.

They were wrong. Lefever says that once they began to play, the young people slowly began to drift into the room.

And by the end of the performance the audience was a good mix of both the young people and the older people who had originally planned to attend.

The Thirsty Thursday event known as Jazz and Java was sponsored by CAB and BAP, two campus organizations which are responsible for organizing a variety of activities for students. Laurie Comer who acts as Spectrum Chair for CAB knew what a talented group of students were in the jazz ensemble.

“So instead of going out and getting a group I thought it would be beneficial to just let students know that we do have talent here too,” Comer says.

The evening ended with a few more Benny Goodman numbers. It seems that the music and the atmosphere had worked its magic, because by the end of the evening several audience members cast aside their inhibitions and began to dance.

So though the performance was a success Lefever had one complaint. “It’s a shame that more young people don’t come to this because they’d have a good time, they’d have a great time.”

For those who missed their initial performance the RU Jazz Ensemble’s spring concert is April 8, in the Heth Ballroom. The exact time will be announced at a later date.