Arts, Etc.Music

Jazz bands debut compositions

After rehearsing for a semester, the ULV Jazz Band, directed by Anthony Fesmire, performed five songs. From left, John Joines, tenor saxophone and Jarrett Brown, alto saxophone, performed, with five other students, in Dailey Theatre May 4. The audience, numbering more than 50 in a small, improvised stage space, was also entertained by new compositions from Dr. Reed Gratz, professor of music. / photo by Alen Zilic
After rehearsing for a semester, the ULV Jazz Band, directed by Anthony Fesmire, performed five songs. From left, John Joines, tenor saxophone and Jarrett Brown, alto saxophone, performed, with five other students, in Dailey Theatre May 4. The audience, numbering more than 50 in a small, improvised stage space, was also entertained by new compositions from Dr. Reed Gratz, professor of music. / photo by Alen Zilic

by Michelle Thornton
Assistant Features Editor

Jazz has often been classified as the music heard when riding in an elevator. The kind of music that can only be tolerated for the short ride between floors, but by the reactions from the audience at Monday night’s performance, there is no way an elevator could hold this kind of excitement.

If the University of La Verne Jazz Band and the Reed Gratz Band were playing in an elevator, it would be one jumping little place. When the doors opened, rich creamy and sometimes salsa like vibes would radiate from these talented groups and the crowds would begin to form, just as they did in Dailey Theatre.

The bands packed a full house — so many, in fact, that those who trickled in after the performance gathered in the aisles and settled for seats on the floor.

The set was designed to give the smokey jazz club feeling minus the smoke. Soft light was shed from the moody, colored lights and strings of white Christmas lights were braided into the chain link fence hung from the ceiling.

The floor was covered by two large rugs and several couches draped with quilted blankets. A purple, plastic blow chair freckled with pink and green stars sat next to the coat rack and wicker bookcase. Lamps graced the end tables that were scattered around the stage.

Anthony Fesmire, director of the ULV Jazz Band, introduced the members. Jarrett Brown, junior, playing the alto and tenor sax, Marcin Janiszewski, junior, on guitar, Emily Old, junior, with both the flute and the bass, John Joines, freshman, tearing it up with the tenor sax, Tom Moese, senior, banging away at the drums, Justin Cable, junior, on the keyboards and bass, and Anthony Loriso, junior, blowing on the trombone for one song.

These talented entertainers are relatively new to the jazz world but that is not evident from their performance.

“One O’Clock Jump,” a Bill Basie tune featured soloists Cable, Brown and Joines. As they performed, they covered songs from respected jazz performers like Miles Davis’ “Freddie the Freeloader,” Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five,” John Coltrane’s “Blue Trane” and Pat Metheny’s “Phase Dance.”

The Reed Gratz Band was next performing six songs all written by Dr. Gratz himself.

Their set included “Bahia Blanca,” “Erin’s Eyes” and “Crescent Bay,” an audience favorite, and ended with “Toca con la Mañana.”

After watching the performances, it can been noticed how well these gentlemen play their instruments. It is not like they are playing instruments, but it is more like they have a relationship with them. Each performance is not just a show, but more like a heart felt conversation with a special friend.

Ron Shumake, who plays bass, can be found strumming his guitar with his long lanky fingers that resemble his beloved guitar. Steve Biondo, percussion, does not drum his bongos rather he caresses them with loving hands.

Bob Dominguez skillfully dances his playful drum sticks over his set, as Gratz is hunched over his keyboards with his hands flying over the keys as quickly as possible. It appears that the music coming from Fesmire is being worked out of himself instead of his instrument.

“He [Fesmire] has the greatest patience. He knows his stuff, just put it that way. He lets you play what you are comfortable with,” said Janiszewski.

“Actually, I never really performed jazz before. I do play other music, but jazz was a way that I could really learn about the music and help me play my other music better,” said Cable.

The two groups have upcoming performances at the Church of the Brethren on Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. and the following day they will be performing Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria” at Schoenberg Hall at UCLA at 4 p.m. The price is $10 per adult and $5 per student.

There will be a student recital in the ULV Chapel on Tuesday, May 12 at 4 p.m. Admission to this is free.

Michelle Thornton, Editorial Director
Michelle Thornton
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Freshman Alen Zilic, who goes by the nickname "Zila," came from the community of Mostar, in the southern region of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He was encouraged to apply to the University of La Verne by Scot McElvany, a graduate of ULV. Zilic wishes to pursue his interest in the arts, especially photography. / photo by Jamie Bigornia
Alen Zilic
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