Posted: May 13th, 2021

Concert Review

Despite slavery legally ending in 1 865, African Americans still didn’t have the same rights as white Americans. “Jazz was music that both black and white people could enjoy. By the 1 sass, jazz was growing in popularity and included influences from Europe as well as Africa” (Washington post). The Jazz Band featured a series of special guests such as Johnny Gonzales (Saxophone), Dennis Dotson (Trumpet), and Bobby Guess (Bass Trombone). High’s Blues is a tune that was composed by Jeff Jarvis.
The primary instrumentalists were Jeff Lam with he Vibes, Kali Pinions with the Alto Sax, Ray Hills with the Piano, Ashley Flowers with the Trumpet, and Jimmy Banks with the Guitar. This piece’s dynamic or volume was fortissimo and/or very loud. The melody seemed to have been fairly conjunct with metered rhythm. The texture was apparently homophobic with a thick texture. Cantaloupe Island is a tune that was composed by Hancock. The primary instrumentalists were Each Outlander with the Trumpet and Tory Zimmerman with the Fullerton. The Fullerton is defined as a brass musical instrument like a cornet but with a mellower tone.
The use of the Fullerton in this piece demonstrated the wide dynamic range the ensemble had. The dynamics or volume was fortissimo and/or very loud. Candy Dancer is a tune that was composed by Jeff Jarvis. The primary instrumentalists were Marcel Primes with the Bass, Michael Williams with the Piano, Kali Pinions with the Alto Sax, Ashley Flowers with the Trumpet, and Jimmy Banks with the Guitar. Horn of Pungent is a tune that was composed by Goodwin. The primary instrumentalist was Ashley Mowers with the Trumpet. This was one of the first solo performances that the band completed.

The trumpet, being a brass musical instrument with a flared bell and a bright, penetrating tone, influenced the dynamic or volume of the piece to be fortissimo or very loud. The rhythm was also metered and the Timbre or quality of sound was very clear. Another piece that essentially managed to do the same thing was Top Dog. Top Dog is a tune that was composed by Yeastiness. The primary instrumentalist was Each Outlander with the Trumpet. Both solos demonstrated both virtuosity and expression, along with some humorous moments. Solo’s serve to highlight performers’ ability to play
Off each other, while allowing his or her individual strength to shine through. Aaron’s Blues is a tune that was composed by Chip McNeill. The primary instrumentalists were Michael Williams with the Piano, Eel Baker, with the Alto Sax, Bobby Guess with the Bass Trombone, and Denny Willie with the Trumpet. This piece contained a strong melody with a Forte or loud dynamic. Magellan is a tune that was composed by Strongmen. The primary instrumentalists were Michael Williams with the Piano, Dennis Dotson with the Trumpet, and Bob Peel with the Tenor Sax.
This piece seemed to be a bit distinct or “jumping all over the place” because of the unusual instruments that were combined. For the most part, this piece’s dynamic was fortissimo or very loud while the timbre or quality of sound was clear. Jeannine is a tune that was arranged by Taylor. The primary instrumentalists were Dennis Dotson with the Trumpet and Johnny Goggles with the Sax. This piece reminded me of “Hot Jazz” that was played in Jazz Houses by imitators of New Orleans. There’s Only So Much Oil in the Ground is a tune that was arranged by Tomato.
The primary instrumentalists were Johnny Goggles with the Sax and Michael Williams with the Top Organ sounds. This piece seemed to be fortissimo or very loud. It seemed to be Polyphonic by containing multiple melodic lines of equal importance. Finally, Rock This Town is a tune that was arranged by Dave Wolfe. The primary instrumentalists Were Dennis Dotson with the Trumpet and Johnny Goggles with the Sax. This piece was fortissimo or very loud. This piece also reminded me of the “swing” era where music was performed in order to encourage dance. They called this era the “binge band RA”.

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