Jazz Band celebrates the evolution of their genre

The Georgia College Jazz Band played its Spring 2011 Concert on March 3 and 4 in Russell Auditorium.

The concert, titled Evolution of the Jazz Band, provided attendees with a broad sampling of music from different jazz greats including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. The performances spanned the history of the jazz big band, from its beginnings in early 1900s New Orleans, all the way down to the 1970s.

Jazz Band Director Chris Probst said that the idea for the theme came from two sources.

“The first place was, we were looking back at different tunes, and I was trying to think of a concert for this semester. I had all these tunes in mind that I wanted to do, but I really couldn’t think of a way to put them together. And then I realized that if I put them in chronological order, they fit chronologically, and I filled in the gaps, really, and did it that way,” Probst said. “The other reason is I’m teaching a Jazz History class this semester. So, I thought it would be a nice way to kind of join the two together. And not only for the band, they get a chance to learn a little bit about how the actual ensemble developed.”

When asked about his opinion on the band’s performance, Probst said, “They did a great job, considering how much ground we covered. We did, what, 50 years of music in 13 tunes? And that was all new to them in January. It’s a lot of stuff to learn in a short amount of time, and they did a really good job.”

Probst urged students to attend Department of Music performances.

“Anytime they see anything that’s posted for the Music Department and especially the Jazz Band, they should definitely come out,” Probst said. “It’s not a typical boring night out at the concerts.”

Bob Wilson, history professor and habitual Jazz Band emcee, praised the band’s performance.

“They started learning this in January, and there were a few setbacks, but they got beyond that, and gave this wonderful performance tonight,” Wilson said.

Wilson provided his usual commentary to the band’s performance, cracking jokes and giving the audience members added insight into the songs on the program.

During the performance, Probst and Wilson both highlighted upcoming events for the band, including the Department of Music’s Spring Concert, where the Jazz Band will perform alongside other groups from the Department of Music. The Spring Concert will take place on April 14, in Russell Auditorium. Additionally, the band will continue its tradition of performing in the Czech Republic this summer.

Brent Tripp, a sophomore philosophy major, who was attending his first Jazz Band concert at Georgia College, said that he would definitely be coming back.

“It was too good, too good for my own health,” he said.

Tripp particularly praised Jenna Watkins’ performance of “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me”.

“It was very well done,” Tripp said.