Cache Valley and all that jazz
It is amazing where a little passion and determination can get students in life. At least, those are the two key ingredients that got USU alumni Jackson and Maggie Evans where they are today.
Jazz from a Lower Latitude is the concert event conceived by Jackson and Maggie in their Savannah, Ga. home. Both are requested musicians of the South and Wednesday, Sept. 1, the two will be returning to Logan to display their musical talents.
“This high energy music doesn’t show up outside of the southeast very often,” Jackson said. “The sound we culminate is a mixture of three unique musical styles.”
Jackson said these styles include Latin American rhythms, southern swing and Georgia blues. Jackson comes from a background of jazz and blues, and Maggie has always had a love of Brazilian music.
“I had always been drawn towards it,” Maggie said.
“It is kind of like how you prefer one certain food, I gravitated towards Latin rhythms. I liked seeing it in a different language. It made it more about the rhythms.”
Jazz from a Lower Latitude will feature songs in several languages. Maggie said she enjoys these songs because it is difficult to be caught up singing and listening to the words because of the instruments and their beats. This instrumental music is what has always captured Maggie.
Maggie began her musical debut when she studied piano and the French horn. When she became a teenager, her brother started a punk band and she wanted to become involved. She said she knew her classical piano skills weren’t the best for Nirvana covers but she wasn’t about to give up. Her dad then bought a bass and she thought it would be cool.
“I didn’t take it seriously, like I did the piano,” Maggie said.
“I was mostly just figuring stuff out. I liked learning the bass like that. It allowed me to do more and I was more comfortable playing.”
As a high demand bassist, Maggie has worked with numerous groups in many styles but Maggie specializes in the music of Latin America such as the Salsa, Latin Jazz and Bossa Nova.
Jackson has become one of the most requested guitarists of the South. He graduated from USU in 2004 with a degree in guitar performance. He has also established an extensive resume in the Southeast with experience as an accompanist, arranger, composer, lyricist, teacher and performer.
“We have been here since 2004 and it has been a great experience musically,” Jackson said.
“The south traditionally is a musically rich culture.”
Jackson co-leads a jazz trio, Silver Lining, in Savannah. He has performed with numerous performers such as Ben Tucker, Howard Paul and USU’s Mike Christiansen. Jackson said performing is the highlight of his career.
“Anytime I am in front of people playing, I am happy. The attraction of being a musician is all about the high that comes from playing in front of people. I am straight up addicted. It is the best feeling in the world,” he said.
Jackson said life as a musician is a bit tiring. When he and Maggie go out for the evening, they don’t leave without an agenda. They attend a show to network a gig or have another alternate plan in mind.
“This is a 24/7 job as a musician,” he said. “It is tiring, but that is also the fun part. This is something we are both extremely passionate about and we both get to make it our professional life. We are lucky in that regard.”
Both Jackson and Maggie are excited to be back in Logan performing in their hometown and displaying their style and sound.
“It is going to be an exciting night,” Jackson said.
“Maggie and I take pride in bringing a high energy performance. This is crowd-friendly, exciting and highly crafted music. Entertainment is our number one priority.”
Maggie not only agreed with Jackson but said this is also an opportunity to support independent art shows.
“With a large school in town, there is a lot of talent and not always a lot of outlets for it,” Maggie said. “This is an unfinished art without an audience. It is our responsibility to support that. We need to keep a buzz and scene going.”
Jackson and Maggie will also be sharing the stage with local musicians Eric Nelson and Jason Nicholson. A special appearance will also be made by USU professor Mike Christiansen.
Jazz from a Lower Latitude will begin at 7:30 in the Logan Arthouse and Cinema located on 795 N. Main St. Admission will be $12 at the door.
– courtnie.packer@aggiemail.usu.edu