Concert Report 3 - Jazz Repertory Ensemble

On Tuesday, November 18^th at 8:15 pm, I attended the Jazz Repertory Ensemble concert with some of my friends. If you could not tell from the title, the music that was played was jazz. Although I don’t know the different styles of jazz, I do know that it seemed to be upbeat jazz. For some reason, it really reminded me of Christmas. Maybe that is because during Christmas time back in high school, we would attend a yearly concert put on by our school’s jazz band, and lots of the music that was played in this concert sounded like the type of music that I would hear during my high school’s concert.

            This concert fit in well with the characteristics of jazz music. I now know after watching Ken Burns’ “History of Jazz”, that jazz music started primarily in New Orleans in the early 1900s. The instruments that are played in jazz music are usually trumpets, trombones, saxophones, drums, piano, and others. These are the instruments that were played at the concert I attended. Some characteristics of jazz music that I thought fit in well with the period and were heard during the concert were the “swing” sound caused by syncopation and a blues feel. The songs that were played that were upbeat had a “swing” sound to them. To provide a picture for you, I could not stop tapping my foot on the ground and so couldn’t any of my friends. The sounds created by the band were lively and just made me want to get up and dance. Syncopation is what I believe caused this “swing” sound. Syncopation is emphasizing different notes. Often in jazz music, there are lots of unexpected notes that are accented, keeping the audience’s senses glued onto the stage.

            One other characteristic of jazz music that I noticed was during one song, “Blues in Hoss’ Flat” by Frank Foster was the recognizable 12-bar blues. There are four beats per measure and it is very easy to clap, snap, or tap along with. Although it was not as melancholy as I usually think blues songs are, I still could see how it was defined as a blues song.

            Something that was very unique in this concert was how long the conductor, Greg Evans, would make the band wait in a song before they hit their last note or even continued on with the song. I can remember one specific time, he held the audience waiting and breathless for about 30 seconds! I started uncomfortably smiling because I was so anxious for them to continue. I knew that the song was not over because Evans was still holding his hands up like he was going to bring them down for one more note. But when he finally put his hands down to signal the last note, it was epic. Something inside me was resolved and it made me feel happy.

            Not only did I feel happy during that one part, but during the entire concert I felt a sense of enjoyment and even thankfulness. Something about the music made me realize how lucky I was to be sitting next to my friends who also enjoy jazz, being able to listen to this wonderful music. I think in general, jazz music unites people and has an overall cheerful feel.

            Compared to Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”, jazz music is very different. In “The Rite of Spring”, I did not feel cheerful. Usually I was anticipating what was going to come next and it seemed as though the piece was in a minor key – at least that is what it sounded like. It was very dark and mysterious. One thing that both songs do have in common is their use of change in pitch. At one point, the instruments might have been playing softly, but there would be a slight pause and then the music would get much louder, increasing the pitch.

            I had a lot of fun at this concert and I was glad that I attended it! I would definitely recommend for others to take advantage of music like this to put you in a good mood.