by Oscar de León
Staff Writer
It is 8 p.m., Oct. 10. Everyone at Founders Auditorium waits for an unknown jazz group to appear. The mood is calm.
The Mike Bennett Quartet is composed of Bennett, 19, on drums, Ryan Pryor, 21, on piano, Jeff Hawley, 25, on bass guitar and Vince Hizon, 26, on saxophone.
Before the concert last week, no one knew who they were, where they had come from or what to expect.
There were no programs printed for the show.
Bennett said that the group’s only advertising was fliers, which were distributed across campus.
“The reason we did not have much advertising was because (the show) was a last minute decision,” Bennett said.
Then they took the stage, and by that time the audience was ready to hear some music.
The sound of the saxophone, mixed with the sound of the drums, caught everyone’s attention.
The bass and the piano kept a steady beat throughout.
You could feel the adrenaline in the hall, particularly among the performers as Hizon began to sweat.
He was clearly putting his heart into the melodies he played.
Soon the audience began to clap along. It seemed as they had been won over by the moving melodies.
Prior to the performance were only two informal rehearsals, Bennett said.
“This is our first time playing, and all of it was improvised,” he said.
He said he is pleased with the group, particularly Hizon. “Vince was the Man,” Bennett said.
Hizon said they inspired one another.
Among the songs played were, “Foot Prints” by Bruce R. Brunk and “The Night Has a Thousand Eyes,” by Benjamin Weisman, Dorothy Wayne and Marilynn Garrett.
Bennett, a junior, transferred to the University of La Verne this year and quickly pulled together the quartet.
“This is a pickup group, and this is our first time playing together,” Bennett said.
He added that he was performing at ULV for the audience and to be able to get his name out on campus as a jazz musician in the community.
“It was an excellent presentation,” said Tony Recaldi, an audience member and La Verne resident.
He added that he would like to see more of such events.
The show was recorded. Those interested in purchasing the CD can call the ULV Music Department at extension 4915.
