Spring Break
Jazz concert brings early holiday cheer
Elmira Fifo
Issue date: 12/2/08 Section: Focus
The month of December always brings with it the beginning of the holiday season and holiday music. UConn's jazz students kicked off the holiday spirit with their Yule Be Swingin' holiday concert Monday night.
The night was filled with well known holiday songs that put everyone in the Christmas mood. The night began with the Jazz Fusion group who played their own variation of "Deck the Halls." The melody was backed by a different arrangement of bass, drums and guitar that gave it its own new twist. They continued with a medley including "Jingle Bells," "Greensleeves" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." They were crisp and clear and the music was a lively start to the evening.
Next, the Jazz Lab Band played two other well known favorites, "Rudolpoh the Red-Nosed Reindeer" which included solos by Lisa Conant and Dave Wanik. The Jazz Lab further entertained with "Jingle Bell Rock." The band even sang along for one part of the song. It included a solo by Mark LaRosa on the tenor sax.
The song was upbeat and a great way to uplift anyone's mood.
"It brought a lot of holiday cheer in my soul that wasn't there previously," said John Mathieu, a 5th-semester music major and the section leader of the trumpets.
The next set was performed by the UConn Jazz Quartet, which gave renditions of four songs. They included pieces such as "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "O Tannenbaum." Their pieces had a softer jazzy sound that was easygoing and calm but still precise. The group also performed their own interpretation of "Silent Night," drifting a little from retaining only the simple melody.
Instead, the group added more to it with their own musical style. The group included Alexandra Eckhardt on the bass, Chris Stelluti on the tenor sax, Matt Santacroce on drums and Michael Verselli on piano.
Although they are a small group they still brought plenty of holiday cheer.
"They did a pretty good job," said Sam Eckhardt, father of Alexandra Eckhardt, the group's bass player. " The Jazz Lab was my favorite."
The next to perform were The Jazz Scholars who continued to fill the hall with more enjoyable renditions of songs such as "Joy to the World," "Christmas Time is Here," and "The Christmas Song." These songs were the most reminiscent of a family Christmas and the true sound of happy holiday familiarity.
The last to perform was the Jazz Ensemble who did a more intricate version of "Silent Night". Then the last combo closed the show with "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
Camille Gilbert, a 1st-semester pre-nursing major, said the concert was excellent.
"Their skill level is impressive; they're doing a great job."
The night was filled with well known holiday songs that put everyone in the Christmas mood. The night began with the Jazz Fusion group who played their own variation of "Deck the Halls." The melody was backed by a different arrangement of bass, drums and guitar that gave it its own new twist. They continued with a medley including "Jingle Bells," "Greensleeves" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." They were crisp and clear and the music was a lively start to the evening.
Next, the Jazz Lab Band played two other well known favorites, "Rudolpoh the Red-Nosed Reindeer" which included solos by Lisa Conant and Dave Wanik. The Jazz Lab further entertained with "Jingle Bell Rock." The band even sang along for one part of the song. It included a solo by Mark LaRosa on the tenor sax.
The song was upbeat and a great way to uplift anyone's mood.
"It brought a lot of holiday cheer in my soul that wasn't there previously," said John Mathieu, a 5th-semester music major and the section leader of the trumpets.
The next set was performed by the UConn Jazz Quartet, which gave renditions of four songs. They included pieces such as "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "O Tannenbaum." Their pieces had a softer jazzy sound that was easygoing and calm but still precise. The group also performed their own interpretation of "Silent Night," drifting a little from retaining only the simple melody.
Instead, the group added more to it with their own musical style. The group included Alexandra Eckhardt on the bass, Chris Stelluti on the tenor sax, Matt Santacroce on drums and Michael Verselli on piano.
Although they are a small group they still brought plenty of holiday cheer.
"They did a pretty good job," said Sam Eckhardt, father of Alexandra Eckhardt, the group's bass player. " The Jazz Lab was my favorite."
The next to perform were The Jazz Scholars who continued to fill the hall with more enjoyable renditions of songs such as "Joy to the World," "Christmas Time is Here," and "The Christmas Song." These songs were the most reminiscent of a family Christmas and the true sound of happy holiday familiarity.
The last to perform was the Jazz Ensemble who did a more intricate version of "Silent Night". Then the last combo closed the show with "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
Camille Gilbert, a 1st-semester pre-nursing major, said the concert was excellent.
"Their skill level is impressive; they're doing a great job."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Rick
posted 12/02/08 @ 11:47 AM EST
This was another excellent performance by UConn's jazz students. My wife and I have not missed a student jazz concert in six years. Without a doubt, UConn Jazz is the University's, and the state's, best-kept secret. (Continued…)
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