More than 200 attend campus jazz concert

Chase Cook
News Writing Student

Two student jazz bands blended their sounds to create a seamless concert on campus Oct. 29.

Musicians and instruments were interwoven between songs to bring the classics to life with an OCCC twist.

The bands' chemistry was on display as they powered through Michael Brecker’s funk tune “Slang” and respected Miles Davis’ work with stalwart renditions of “Freddie Freeloader,” “All Blues,” and “So What.” They finished the night with an exciting funk tune by Jaco Pastorious called “Come on, Come Over.”

More than 200 people attended the concert, said Michael Boyle, music professor and concert emcee.

While every member of the band played extremely well, Boyle said, there were a couple of standout performances.

“Lee Williams [bass] and Blake Renton [trumpet] really shone through,” he said. “All the hard rehearsal paid off. The show went really well.”

Band members agreed with Boyle’s statement.

Johnlee Lookingglass, whose excitement during “Come on, Come Over” was unparalleled, expressed his appreciation for the band members.

“The time we have spent together has made us better,” Lookingglass said. “I saw plenty of melted faces.”

When asked about the show, Rob Webb urged fellow students to come out and audition for the spring semester.

The jazz bands on campus are comprised of a concoction of music students, a computer science major and a professor.

“Professor Boyle has put a lot of time and effort into the jazz ensemble and it’s getting better every year,” Webb said.

Students in attendance echoed the band’s excitement over the show.

Michael Dyre, a Music Appreciation student, said that it was a lot more exciting than he expected.

“I loved it,” Dyre said.

Eric McCurdy, a video and film production major and jazz club frequenter, said the show had a lot of variety and a lot less smoke than most clubs.

“It was one of the best jazz shows I’ve been to in a long time,” McCurdy said.

Students can expect more from the jazz band in the future.

Williams reported the band will begin recording a demo soon.

The concert featured both Tuesday and Wednesday night jazz groups. Performers are Thien Nguyen and Rob Webb on guitar; Dominic Dangora, David Traxler, and Sean McDuffie on drums; Paul Collins on saxophone; Blake Renton on trumpet; Williams and Boyle on bass; and Lookingglass, Jonathan Loveless and Lauren Dale on vocals. Boyle also handled keyboard and trombone work.