by Grant North
As the lights dimmed in Finney Chapel on March 16, the 18-piece Oberlin Jazz Ensemble erupts into a smoky intro section. The relaxed tempo of the song, tight rhythm section, and easygoing nature from the drums highlights the band’s effortlessness from the get-go. This feeling is further exemplified by two riveting solos; one from Henry Newquist on trombone and the other from Avery Ghose on trumpet. The notes seem to pour from their souls into their instruments without thinking. When the song concludes, the director, Chris Anderson, walks on stage and announces the title of the song “Sleepwalker’s Serenade” and names the soloists for the audience. Anderson will continue to announce the performers throughout the concert and talk directly to the audience. The structure of this opening song provides a detailed account of how the rest of the concert will play out.
Anderson announces the guest performer of the night, visiting professor Justin Robinson on alto saxophone. Robinson, an accomplished performer having worked with the likes of Cecil Brooks III, Diana Ross, and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, demonstrates his talent with lightning fast chromatic runs and agile licks on the Mary Lou Williams tune “Lonely Moments.” However, his performance is slightly diminished by the trombone section. In between solos, they were off pitch. Fortunately, it was not pronounced enough to topple Robinson’s momentum. “Take the Coltrane” by Duke Ellington continues the trombone section’s woes with an out of sync intro but quickly gets back on track with Anderson’s help. The audience is treated to a wonderful piano solo by Lyric Anderson, another enthralling solo from Robinson, and a showy drum outro from Max Simas.
Next on the program is an original composition by fourth-year student Indie Stephens called “Long Distance Love.” While the setlist surrounding this track are cemented in the style of big band jazz, Stephen’s song draws influence from funk and R&B with artists like Amy Winehouse and Tower of Power. She sings with confidence in front of an incredibly catchy brass section but doesn’t enunciate the words enough to discern the lyrics. There’s a pivot to alternating solos from baritone sax and tenor trombone that match the poppier nature of the song, and leads directly into a rap verse. Stephen shines here, with snappy flow and an improvement in projection and enunciation. Overall, this song was a perfect side fare from the program, and an amazing display of Stephen’s writing and performance ability.
“Shafi” was another standout tune by Mary Lou Williams with its breakneck angular riffs and unexpected beat switching supplied with another Robinson delight. “Miss Lucy” provides a serenade-like change of pace followed by the chirpy brass section for “In A Mellow Tone.” The penultimate song “So Many Stars” marks the only ballad of the night and “Back to the Apple” opens the performance floor for three blues solos over the “wah wah” trumpets. While it was disappointing that the rhythm section had few moments to shine, the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble performs an excellent program with laser precision and expressive solos.
thecounterpoint.org 