Lila P./Staff
Academy’s Jazz Band took the stage for its fall showcase on November 5, at 7 p.m. in the Schoedinger Theatre, featuring 17 musicians, who practice during three zero periods three every week, who proved that their dedication to music pays off. Starring with a mix of full-band and improvised solos, the night was a knockout.
The concert opened with “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, a Brazilian bossa nova that eased the audience into the show.
Then came Van Morrison’s “Moondance.” Suggested by Max B., the song featured solos by Adam A., Max, Andrew J., Chaz M., Devin L., and Tegan M. To prepare, the group learned a new set of scales just for this number. The piano solo moved with a sense of control that flowed back into the full band, while Tegan and Max’s saxophone and trombone solos showed off impressive tone and clarity.
“Moanin’” by Bobby Timmons followed, with solos by Devin L., Jude S., and Max. It opened with a sharp call-and-response section that immediately caught the audience’s attention, and Max’s quick, dynamic note changes gave the song additional spark.
Next was Sonny Burke’s “Black Coffee,” a late-1940’s ballad that built slowly from a swanky introduction into a lively song. Soloists Fumei S. and Marceline O. defined the piece with dynamic improvisation, and Marceline’s use of vibrato made her solo one of the concert’s standouts.
The band picked up the pace with “Hogwart Stomp” by Robert Woods, a blues piece not related to Harry Potter, featuring solos by Adam, Andrew J., Devin L., Marceline, Max , and Saurav M.
The tone shifted again with “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” by Ned Washington, one of the most challenging songs of the night. Alec S. led the piece with a smooth, steady solo that contrasted beautifully with the quick, syncopated rhythms from the saxophones. Ms. Sneeringer described it as “the slowest, softest, and most difficult” work of the program. Yet the band handled it with ease.
Finally, “Chevré” by Michelle Fernandez closed the show with a burst of energy, featuring solos by Adam, Andrew, Devin, Marceline, and Max, ending the concert on a lively note.
During the performance, Sneeringer had the band raise its hands to show how long they’d been involved in jazz band and other activities at school. The band is relatively young, with many first and second-year performers whereas senior Adam A. marked his fifth year.
The jazz band didn’t just play: they listened and connected with one another in a performance that deserves far more recognition than it receives. Impressive were how much soul and teamwork every one brought to every song.
