The University of Connecticut Jazz Ensemble took to the stage at von der Mehden Recital Hall on Sunday, Nov. 17, for an evening of energetic jazz music that showcased the talents of UConn music students.
After some quick tuning notes, the ensemble wasted no time and jumped into its opening number, “Blues for Stew’s Shoes” by Alan Baylock. The song kicked off with the rhythm section launching into a fast swing groove as pianist Isadore Palacpac took the lead, dancing around the keys to set the mood. This relatively soft opening set the stage for the saxophones and brass sections to triumphantly enter, delivering intense and flowing lines punctuated by sharp and short staccato hits. Drummer Ohm Soni finished the song with elongated, powerful drum fills, ending a fiery first song that set the tone for what was to come.
Next on the bill was a medley of “Pure Imagination” from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Never Never Land” from “Peter Pan.” The “Pure Imagination” portion highlighted the saxophone section, with their warm and flowing tones wrapping the audience in a beautiful blanket of sound. The energy picked up in the “Never Never Land” portion, as the band settled into a mid-tempo groove. The dynamics and busyness of the piece continued as the sections weaved their harmonies, while drummer Sean Byington navigated the band through the changes in volume.
The ensemble’s high command of dynamics and volume control was on full display in the third piece of the night, “A Study Was Done,” by Carl Murr. The song started soft, but this introduction was played in a menacing and pointed way. The group effortlessly flowed between quiet and louder portions of the piece, with powerful hits by the trumpet section interspersed throughout. At one point, the band stopped playing entirely, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats waiting to see what would happen next. The ensemble then built the sound right back up to a roaring height, punctuated by Byington’s potent drum fills.
After the complexity of “A Study Was Done,” the ensemble took on a simpler piece with Miles Davis’ standard “All Blues.” Bassist Brendan McManus kicked off the piece with a free jazz-inspired upright bass solo that made the medium-sized recital hall feel like an intimate jazz club. The rest of the band then faded in, with each section playing with restraint so as not to overpower each other. The 12-bar blues arrangement that serves as the song’s basis served as a launching pad for extended solos by multiple members of the group. The star of the show during the song was trumpeter Michael Rentz, who took center stage playing the song’s main melody line, while also laying down a suave solo that channeled Davis.
One of the highlights of the night came with the next piece, “I Hear a Rhapsody,” which prominently featured tenor saxophonists Michael Farina and Noah Lafond as the piece’s main melody line. The two played in absolute lockstep with each other, weaving their individual parts perfectly with each other. This gave way to a solo section that can only be described as a saxophone duel for the ages. Farina and LaFond exchanged lively solos before entering a call-and-response section, where they traded licks with each other like guitarists in a jam band would. The crowd sat in amazement watching the two engage in an engaging musical conversation that stood as one of the best moments of the evening.
The evening concluded with a rendition of “Minuano,” a composition by jazz guitar legend Pat Metheny. The brooding intro led by Ciara Garcia and Caroline Shadman on baritone saxophone and trombone, respectively, gave way to a vivacious Latin-esque groove. The trumpet section played some of its highest notes of the night, which led to a smooth solo by guitarist Colin Quigley. Quigley glided across the fretboard as the rest of the band fired away behind him, creating a musical contrast that worked spectacularly. The band soon went into a dramatic buildup with a marching snare drum line and swelling horns, before ending loudly and abruptly to bring the energetic concert to a close. The crowd then responded with roaring applause, grateful for the unforgettable performance they witnessed.