Fresno State’s Concert Hall was turned into a Jazz lover’s paradise last Monday night as Fresno State jazz students, along with The Fresno City College Jazz Composers Orchestra joined hands in what was a very upbeat jazz concert.
What started as a typical music concert ended as more of a festivity as the Fresno State Jazz Band “A” students took the stage to kick off the night. Playing music by composers such as Mike Barone, Tom Kubis, Kim Richmond, Charlie Parker and Rob McConnell, the young musicians had the entire audience mesmerized as they displayed their talents late into the evening.
The ensemble of 21 students, under the direction of Dr. Michael Caldwell, truly captured the essence of jazz.
After Fresno State’s last song “Yardbird Suite”, the audience had another very special treat as the very experienced members of the Fresno City College Jazz Composers Orchestra took the stage.
With the direction of Mike Dana, the Director of Jazz Studies and chair of the music department at Fresno City College, this group had their audience bopping their heads to the tunes of composers such as Bob Brookmeyer, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock, Clare Fischer, Thelonious Monk, Maria Schneider and Hideaki Nakaji.
The transitions between the slow, smooth jazz and the faster more upbeat jazz songs played with the listener’s emotions, making them reminiscence about long lost loves with slower tunes such as “For Maria” to having them jump in their seats with joy by playing songs such as “Tah-DUM” and “African Skies.”
With a very talented group of musicians, Jazz Composers didn’t fail to impress. Dana, as well as multiple of his other colleagues have earned near celebrity status among various jazz players in the city as well as around the globe.
Musicians such as Larry Honda, Dale Engstrom, and Joe Lizama can all be seen around the Fresno City College campus as they are involved in the music department through instruction and direction.
Both Honda and Engstrom are currently members of the music faculty on campus, while Lizama teaches percussion to Fresno City College students on a daily basis. There are also some Fresno City College alumni such as Steven Madden in the group, keeping the Ram spirit present in the styles of jazz.
Other members such as Gene Doi have played for legendary music groups such as the Temptations and Wayne Newton.
Adan Infante, a trombone player in the ensemble has played for celebrities such as The Roots and even hip-hop superstar Ludacris.
Even other successful musicians such as The Who, and The Four Tops have been graced with jazz legends like Gene Doi and Les Nunes. Japan, Korea and Europe have even been hit with the jazz craze as percussion player Brian Hamada has toured with festivals at such places.
The atmosphere in the hall left one wanting to come back for more. Luckily for those jazz fanatics, various events ae planned with even more talent.
For more information on other future jazz concerts, visit www.jazzfresno.com for more details.
As for those that visited Fresno State on Monday night, they witnessed a captivating display of musicianship and talent throughout the night.
