Tuning it Up: Jazz ensembles prepare for fall concert with visiting artist
Hands are slapping knees and toes are tapping – the air is alive.
Music professor, Todd Fallis’ head bobs back and forth as he snaps his fingers to the beat. His arms explode into the air as the music reaches a climax.
Jazz is a physical thing.
Brooke Corbridge, a senior majoring in music composition, rocks back and forth on the piano bench as her fingers fly across the ivory keys.
A sax player grimaces as he plays a flat note and shakes his head in disgust.
“You can do better than that,” shouts Sherrie Lynn Nicholson, a sophomore majoring in music education.
The band continues to play until Fallis abruptly stops them and says, “Four before F someone took a breath so loud I could hear it.”
After seven weeks of practice the band only has a few small kinks to work out before Wednesday’s fall jazz ensemble concert.
Fallis’ ensemble includes bongo drums, bass, alto and tenor saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano and the electric guitar.
“The difference between the tenor sax and the alto is basically size. The alto is the smaller musical lady and the tenor sounds more like a guy’s voice.” Said David Omer a senior majoring in Aerospace Engineering.
Try-outs for the two Utah State University jazz ensembles are held at the beginning of each year and students are placed either in the 1st or 2nd band depending on their abilities. Any USU student may try out and most, but not all, get in.
Jon Gudmundson, the director of jazz studies, has directed the top band for the past two years. Todd Fallis, professor of trombone, has directed the second band for the past 14 years.
Each band ranges from 17-21 members with an average of five saxophones, four trombones, four trumpets, bass, piano, drums and guitar. About three-fourths of the top band and half of the second are music majors.
“Jazz involves people form all walks of life,” Fallis said.
Twice a semester the ensembles put on a concert. This semester is unique in that the band will be joined by visiting artists at both concerts instead of just one. Visiting artists are brought to USU, thanks to grants from the Caine Foundation.
“Visiting artists cost us some dough, but we want to make sure we reach a lot of people,” Fallis said.
Jazz concert turnouts range anywhere between 750 and 1200 people.
Wednesday, the band will be joined for its fall concert by trombonist Chris Oberholtzer. Oberholtzer is the director of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern Maine as well as a professional freelance trombonist who has toured and recorded throughout the country. Oberholtzer is the lead trombonist for the Artie Shaw Orchestra and has played with the Ringling Brothers Circus as well as the Temptations.
“We’re all excited to play with Chris,” trumpet player Sherrie Lynn Nicholsen said. “But I think I’d be a lot more nervous if he played the trumpet instead of the trombone,”
“I do jazz band to keep my sanity,” sax-player Dave Omer said. “Jazz comes from the soul and it makes you happy, so come to the concert.”
The jazz band’s talent as well as that of Chris Oberholtzer will be showcased Wednesday.
Each band will play six or seven numbers and Chris will join in on four of them.
Music will feature Big Band Swing coupled with Latin jazz, traditional Latin jazz and some of Oberholtzer’s own tunes. The concert takes place Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall. USU students get in free with I.D. Adult and non-USU student admission costs $5.
-amcconkie@cc.usu.edu
Michael Meinzer plays the trombone during rehearsal. (Photo by Jennifer Wheatley)
Lydia Wheeler, a junior majoring in music education, plays the baritone saxophone during a jazz ensemble band rehearsal. (Photo by Jennifer Wheatley)