Photo by Kyle Vertin
MARIA MELCHIORRE
Staff Writer
On April 29, EBC West was transformed into a jazz-age speakeasy through the jazz big band stylings of the Fredonia Jazz Ensemble and Weapons of Jazz Destruction.
The Fredonia Jazz Ensemble started as a dance band at the Fredonia Normal School in 1934. The University was known as The Normal School from 1867 to 1948.
The Ensemble was not created during the jazz age, the period from the early 1920s until the onset of the Great Depression that saw the cultural changes and influences associated with the rise in popularity of jazz music in the United States. However, the group, which was organized to accompany swing dancing, was established at the outset of the Swing Era (1935 to 1946) that saw a rise in popularity of big band music.
“I took an American Music course when I was a sophomore, and we learned a lot about the history of jazz in the United States, so it’s really interesting to know that this ensemble has been playing the same kind of music since the ‘30s,” said Mike Magro, a Fredonia alumnus in town for the weekend.
Part of the main mission of the ensemble is to “further the understanding and enjoyment of big band music,” as stated by the New York State Band Director’s Association. The ensemble works to achieve this goal of education outreach through concerts and jazz clinics throughout Western New York and northwest Pennsylvania. Additionally, they have been invited to play internationally at events such as the Porthcrawl International Jazz Festival in Wales, United Kingdom.
On Friday night, the band played renditions of classics, such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and the Flintstones and Sesame Street themes.
“It was actually kind of nostalgic to hear some of those songs,” said Magro. “I probably hadn’t heard the Flintstones song since I was a kid.”
Photo by Kyle Vertin
The ensemble is a student-run group, meaning it is composed of students and directed by student conductors. What is important to note about conductors in jazz ensembles is their supplementary role. Jazz is comprised of a series of improvisational solos; a band’s sound is made of each musician’s personal expression. A jazz conductor may serve as a final arbiter of taste, but there is much more freedom of style within the group.
Following the Fredonia Jazz Ensemble was a set by the campus’ own Weapons of Jazz Destruction. Established in 2006, the group plays a mix of funk, blues and jazz and identify as an “urban funk ensemble.” Weapons of Jazz Destruction played more contemporary pieces inspired by the work of current jazz greats like Gordon Goodwin, Jimmy Webb and Yoko Kanno, who is known for her work on the popular anime series “Cowboy Bebop.”
The event drew a mixed crowd of locals and students, all dancing and swaying with the beats. At times when songs such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” were played, the crowed crooned along in a warm, collective tone. At other times, the music filled the air with adrenaline and suspense, due to the mental associations with classic spy movies.
“I feel like I’m in a ‘50s Bond film with this music right now,” said Magro.
The instrumental students performing in both groups have been hard at work all semester, honoring their craft. Friday night’s performance was the last of the semester for them, and a sense of camaraderie that often comes with last hoorahs could be felt in the air.