Two of NIU’s jazz bands came together on Tuesday night for a great number of head-bobbing and foot-tapping tunes. The All-University Jazz Band and the Jazz Lab Band produced some interesting and rhythm-inspired pieces for their first concert of the year.

The night started off with the All-University Jazz Band playing the jazz rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Overture.” Directed by Patrick Terbrack, this opening piece had a fast-paced swinging beat showcasing most of the musicians in short solos. Throughout it, the whole ensemble’s rising and falling dynamics provided a strong opening piece. However, at times, all the instrument sections would play different melodies at the same time and would make it hard to follow.

The next piece, “Shiny Stockings,” held one of two special surprises of the night as vocalist Diane Toomey joined the band. She sang beautifully and harmonized well with the rest of the ensemble. It was a true surprise to hear her vocals along with this bouncy jazz tune.

Terbrack closed the All-University Jazz Band set with the classic tune of “One O’Clock Jump,” and jump it did.

It was a pleasant change to hear the surging sounds of the muted trumpet section tag team with

the full and rich sound of the saxophones.

After a 10-minute intermission the night started again, but this time the Jazz Lab Band and director Rodrigo Villanueva graced the stage.

The first piece of the 45-minute set was a fast-paced collaboration of many different solos that

featured all instrument sections.

The Jazz Lab Band continued with two more pieces that allowed the audience to enjoy the many different sounds and capabilities of the jazz genre.

It wasn’t until the fourth piece of the set that I was completely blown away.

When Villanueva introduced the second special guest of the night, Clarice Castilho on the tambourine, it was amazing to see her play a full song and create rich sounds that I have never heard come from a tambourine. Her performance was out of this world and a rare treat to hear.

The musicians and directors looked as though they were enjoying themselves as much as the audience at Boutell Concert Hall as two talented jazz bands provided for a great night of music and a good time for all in attendance.