FSU Faculty Inspires A Night of Jazz

The Pealer Recital Hall welcomed the community, which was a crowd including a wide range of students, families and awed Frostburg residents, Friday night to the mellow tunes of Frostburg’s Jazz Ensemble. With a much practice and dedication, the night’s jazz ensemble, full of FSU Jazz Studies faculty, features, with a special guest musician, Brent Weber on the alto saxophone, Bill Green on the tenor saxophone, Tom Harrison on the piano and keyboard, Jim Roderick on the bass and Marc Lawrence on the drums. With the wonderful addition of star trumpeter Thomas Simpson, the ensemble was equipped for a smooth performance.

Behind these artists lays a strong interest in jazz and their musical capability is a wonderful reflection of it. All having impressive playing experience, each member of the ensemble was no less than thrilled to be on stage performing. Harrison, sole pianist of the group, played with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, drummer Lawrence played solo with AC/DC singer Brian Johnson, and bass player Roderick has highly extensive experience working with jazz for over 35 years. “One of my favorite things about getting this ensemble together is the songs we can play we are not normally able to play,” saxophonist Weber says introducing the entirety of the troupe.

Paying a special tribute to noted saxophonist Phil Woods, the ensemble set a relaxing environment from the moment the lights were shed on the stage. The first of seven compositions to be performed was “The Monster and The Flower,” which featured both a trumpet and a drum solo. Not even half a minute into the first composition and the audience was captivated by the sweet rhythm of the blend of the saxophone, drums, bass guitar and piano. The following piece, composed by Roy Hargrove and titled “Strasbourg-St. Denis,” featured a strong saxophone and bass presence. The eyes of the crowd were so glued to the performance, Weber felt it necessary to let them know they were welcome on stage to dance, if the mood hit. “A quick word about jazz etiquette. Enjoy yourself,” Weber said trying to encourage the audience to let their moods be lifted by the music.

Green didn’t even break a sweat during his spotlight solo in “Walkin’ Up,” which is a Bill Evans composition. The only piece to not feature guest Simpson was “Autumn Nocturne,” a piece chosen by Weber and definitely considered the most emotionally-stirring number. The fifth chosen song, “Cubano Chant” flipped the mood and inspired an energetic approach to what seemed like an upbeat conversation between instruments. The final two compositions performed were “Blue Rondo A La Turk,” and “Horace,” leaving the crowd with nothing but a wide smile. Following the final song, the standing ovation roused a sensational encore.

The crowd walked in full of hope, and audience members left excited for another inspiring night, with the full knowledge of a future performance not only by this particular ensemble but by other musical groups of the university. Frostburg can expect a raining series of upcoming musical performances, such as the FSU Opera Theatre and the holiday concert in December.