Arts, Etc.Music

Joe Bagg Trio gives ULV some jazz

The Joe Bagg Organ Trio performed for a small audience on Tuesday in University of La Verne's Founders Auditorium. The trio, which is composed of Joe Bagg on the organ, Steve Cardenas on the guitar and Mark Ferber on the drums, played many of their own tunes of soft jazz sounds. / photo by Bailey Porter
The Joe Bagg Organ Trio performed for a small audience on Tuesday in University of La Verne’s Founders Auditorium. The trio, which is composed of Joe Bagg on the organ, Steve Cardenas on the guitar and Mark Ferber on the drums, played many of their own tunes of soft jazz sounds. / photo by Bailey Porter

by Amby Sarabia
Staff Writer

The sounds of jazz music could be heard throughout Founders Hall Auditorium Tuesday night, as the Joe Bagg Organ Trio entertained ULV students and faculty.

A ULV alumnus, Joe Bagg seemed right at home on the stage in Founders Auditorium, where he performed for an audience of 40.

The organ trio gave a jazz concert, which is common for these traditional jazz groups.

The trio consisted of Bagg on the Hammond B-3 organ, Steve Cardenas on guitar and Mark Ferber on drums.

“This was our first time playing together,” said Bagg, jazz composer and musician. “Steve was actually subbing for someone.”

The trio did not miss a beat., performing a total of nine songs, five of which were composed by Bagg and two composed by Cardenas.

While attending ULV, Bagg proved to be more than mediocre when it came to music.

“He was an outstanding student when he was here at La Verne; he showed a lot of potential,” said Reed Gratz, professor of music. “I’m sure he learned more on his own than from me.”

Bagg was originally a computer science major, but when he discovered jazz in college, he immediately changed his major to music.

Bagg followed the typical jazz musician style of teaching himself.

Surrounding himself with a large CD collection, Bagg learned many techniques from listening to jazz recordings.

After graduating from ULV in 1989, Bagg went on to graduate from Rutgers University in New Jersey with a master’s degree in musicology.

He chose Rutgers, because he heard that jazz pianist Kenny Barron was teaching there.

After graduating from Rutgers, Bagg joined the Army and served as a Russian linguist stationed in Germany.

After finishing his enlistment, Bagg returned to the Los Angeles area and quickly became part of the Los Angeles jazz scene.

Bagg has recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz music today, including Bobby Hutcherson, Charles McPherson, Seamus Blake and Marvin “Smitty” Smith, just to name a few.

“I’ve also played with Bobby Hutcherson who’s a living legend,” Bagg said.

Although he is in the process of becoming one of the best-known jazz organists in the Los Angeles area, Bagg continues to perform in local clubs around the Los Angeles and Claremont area, Gratz said.

While Bagg normally performs with Ferber, he typically plays with a loose network of musicians, Bagg said.

“I’m going to play with Mark and Joe tomorrow night,” said Ryan Meagher, guitarist and student at San Diego State.

Admitting to being the trio’s “groupie,” Meagher became a fan of the band two years ago after watching them perform in San Diego, Meagher said.

“I think these guys are great, Meagher said. “They’re underrated and need more recognition in the jazz world.”

Their performance Tuesday helped to expose the audience to the jazz world.

Unbeknownst to the majority of ULV students, the trio performs at the local jazz club, Casa De Salsa in Claremont, Gratz said.

“(Jazz musicians) are always trying to fill up their book,” Gratz said. “So they still play small clubs.”

The trio’s next performance will be at 5:30 p.m., Thursday at Citrus College.

Amby Sarabia
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Bailey Porter
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