Spring Break
Jazztet honors Gershwins
Bethany Bekas
Issue date: 11/12/08 Section: The Edge
George Gershwin once said, "True music must repeat the thoughts and inspirations of the people and the time. My people are Americans and my time is today." Although Gershwin may have thought his time was then, The Hopper Jazztet proved last Wednesday that the musical stylings of George and Ira Gershwin are timeless.
With professor Kevin Nichols, percussion, instructor Marlene Rosenberg, double bass, and directors John Cooper and Michael Stryker, both on jazz trumpet, the College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall came alive with some of the Gershwin brothers' compositions that have been made famous on the big screen.
Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire and Judy Garland danced along with the melody as a multimedia presentation featuring clips from some of the films accompanied the jazz. Colored light illuminated the stage, setting the mood and bringing the audience into a different vibe with each piece.
"I think it was a good way to introduce jazz to students who haven't gotten into it before," said Brady Lavin, sophomore music business major.
The Hopper Jazztet played six pieces and each possessed its own flare, from a swing feel to a samba.
"I loved the different styles they used, never repeating a 'feel,'" Lavin said. "I loved the ballad ("Embraceable You"); Stryker's solo was amazing on that one."
Three of the pieces, "But Not For Me," "Embraceable You" and "I Got Rhythm," were from the 1943 movie "Girl Crazy," whereas the others were from "Strike Up the Band" and "Shall We Dance."
To appease the applauding audience, the Jazztet played "Porgy and Bess," a piece whose namesake is an opera featuring the Gershwins' work.
Before each composition, master of ceremonies associate professor Richard Ness provided the audience with the history behind the song. These introductions allowed the audience to fully understand the context of the song and get a feel for the emotions the composer put into his work. The most touching anecdote came before the tune "They Can't Take That Away from Me," when Ness described how George Gershwin's death inspired Ira Gershwin to continue his work.
This concert highlighted the talent of not only the performing musicians, but the talent of the Gershwin brothers as well, who are still impacting the world of music today.
"The Gershwins are legendary," Lavin said. "Their compositions have impacted and inspired many composers and songwriters over the years."
The Hopper Jazztet proved that the Gershwin brothers are still able to entertain an audience with their timeless melodies, as well as allow talented musicians to showcase their abilities.
With professor Kevin Nichols, percussion, instructor Marlene Rosenberg, double bass, and directors John Cooper and Michael Stryker, both on jazz trumpet, the College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall came alive with some of the Gershwin brothers' compositions that have been made famous on the big screen.
Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire and Judy Garland danced along with the melody as a multimedia presentation featuring clips from some of the films accompanied the jazz. Colored light illuminated the stage, setting the mood and bringing the audience into a different vibe with each piece.
"I think it was a good way to introduce jazz to students who haven't gotten into it before," said Brady Lavin, sophomore music business major.
The Hopper Jazztet played six pieces and each possessed its own flare, from a swing feel to a samba.
"I loved the different styles they used, never repeating a 'feel,'" Lavin said. "I loved the ballad ("Embraceable You"); Stryker's solo was amazing on that one."
Three of the pieces, "But Not For Me," "Embraceable You" and "I Got Rhythm," were from the 1943 movie "Girl Crazy," whereas the others were from "Strike Up the Band" and "Shall We Dance."
To appease the applauding audience, the Jazztet played "Porgy and Bess," a piece whose namesake is an opera featuring the Gershwins' work.
Before each composition, master of ceremonies associate professor Richard Ness provided the audience with the history behind the song. These introductions allowed the audience to fully understand the context of the song and get a feel for the emotions the composer put into his work. The most touching anecdote came before the tune "They Can't Take That Away from Me," when Ness described how George Gershwin's death inspired Ira Gershwin to continue his work.
This concert highlighted the talent of not only the performing musicians, but the talent of the Gershwin brothers as well, who are still impacting the world of music today.
"The Gershwins are legendary," Lavin said. "Their compositions have impacted and inspired many composers and songwriters over the years."
The Hopper Jazztet proved that the Gershwin brothers are still able to entertain an audience with their timeless melodies, as well as allow talented musicians to showcase their abilities.
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