The minutes dragged on as a large crowd of jazz enthusiasts slowly grew around the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall of the Music Building, eagerly awaiting to hear the latest masterpiece of the NIU School of Music.
Students of the NIU School of Music put on a jaw-dropping performance in their large ensemble concert from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday featuring members of both the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Orchestra.
Directed by Rodrigo Villanueva, the musicians of the Jazz Ensemble played a hypnotic mixture of smooth and fast-paced jazz songs that would have the eyes of the audience transfixed to the stage.
The songs masterfully performed by the Jazz Ensemble were “Bye Bye Blackbird” composed by Ray Henderson, “Blue in Green” composed by Miles Davis, “Never No Lament” composed by Duke Ellington and “Afro Blue” composed by Mongo Santamaria.
The musicians performing in the Ensemble were Miles Macklin on the trumpet, Ben Rodriguez on the piano, Nathan Tague on the tenor saxophone, Aiden Ledbetter on the trombone, Aiden Schneider on the alto saxophone, Andrew Clark on the trumpet, Sean Hamilton on the trombone and Ellie Andries on the guitar.
As each note fell upon the ears of the audience, they remained hungry for more and showed their enthusiasm by erupting into wild applause for each performer as well as throwing hoots, hollers and cheers their way.
Miles Wisdom, a former student of NIU from Wisconsin, thought that the concert was great and found it to be some of the best jazz music around.
“It was great and some of the best jazz music here,” Wisdom said. “The band sounded great and all sections were tight. It was a good group.”
However, the show didn’t stop there as the Jazz Orchestra readied to take the stage after a brief intermission.
Guided by Director Roosevelt Griffin III, the musicians of the Jazz Orchestra exploded onto the scene with a quick and powerful piece vividly depicting their passion and love for the art of music.
The members of the orchestra were Jonathan Garett on the drums, Isaiah Jones Jr. on the piano, Ryan Bills on the tenor sax, Nate Wray on the alto saxophone, Phil Pistone on the trumpet, Brandon Diehl on the trombone, Taylor Cash on the baritone sax, Carlos Sims on the trumpet, Spencer Mackey on the trombone and Daniel Jablo on the guitar.
The orchestra passionately performed songs such as “Ya Gotta Try ……. Harder” composed by Sammy Nestico, “A Warm Breeze” composed by Sammy Nestico, “Libra” composed by Gary Bartz and “Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey” composed by Jason Marshall.
To the surprise of the audience, they were treated to an additional song not listed in the program. To close the concert, the Jazz Orchestra performed “Into the Stone” by the legendary group “Earth, Wind and Fire” and had some of the audience members grooving along with them.
Lukas Laun-smith, a former NIU student from Wisconsin, really enjoyed Director Griffin III’s performance and the smaller performances by NIU students.
“I thought it was great and for Roosevelt Griffins III’s first concert, I think he did a great job,” Laun-smith said. “I like the small group stuff. I always thought they should do more small group stuff because I feel like it’s more representative of where the music went in more modern times like Jazz in general. It’s a great place and people should come out here.”
For those who missed out, their performances can be viewed on YouTube and show just as much passion and love for jazz as they do in person.
