Jazz Fest 2009
slideshow - http://www.flickr.com/photos/37946132@N04/sets/72157617530794678/show/
Ben Baldwin
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Web Exclusive
The 2009 installment of Kirkwood Community College's Jazz Fest was a hot one.
Sets from the Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble and the CR Jazz Big Band featured guest artist, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. He currently serves on the faculty of the Jazz Studies program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro but his career has taken him around the world. Gordon has been a member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, played in numerous television appearances including Ken Burns' Jazz, and served as the U.S. State Department's "Official Jazz Ambassador."
Mike Salow, the guitarist for Kirkwood's 20-piece ensemble, opened the night by leading the band through a subtle intro to their rendition of Juanito. The pianist, Chase Garrett, didn't waste any time when he took his first solo section and throughout the song Jeff Madland, on drums, showed his fluency in Latin rhythms.
The third song brought a personnel change as the band's director, Dr. Tim Feldkamp, announced bassist Blake Shaw's move from the upright to a microphone in order to handle the vocals for No More Blues. With his blue highlights and Stevie Wonder-esque tenor voice, Shaw stole the show.
That is until Gordon joined the band to play out the second half of their set.
From the first song after his arrival, Somebody New, which he authored himself, Gordon took over the attention of anyone in the audience whose child wasn't a participant in the band. A large man in a black pin-stripe suit, with the mis-matched personality of a brash but polite boxer, everyone knew despite the smile, he was about to do some damage.
From guttural noises to sweet melodic runs, in just a few songs Gordon did more with a trombone then seemed possible. Between his solos he snapped up the band, co-directing with Feldkamp to keep the band extra tight.
The set ended with Herkie Jerkie, a song that true to its name, switches back and forth from a straightforward big band feel to a low and funky groove. Every time the band hit the brakes, Gordon stepped out to make use of the contrasting vibe.
After a short intermission the CR Jazz Big Band took over. The saxes took the lead in the band's first offering, Count Bubba, before handing it off to the trombones and then the trumpets.
The next song, Memento, written by University of Northern Iowa graduate, Kyle Novak, featured a powerful solo from Al Taylor.
A song later, Gordon joined the band to finish out the set. The first offering, The "Woogie," penned by Gordon, was a funky piece straight of New Orleans. Gordon lead the band through the progressions at all times and the band closely followed, as if they weren't meeting Gordon for the first time.
I can't get started, another Gordon original, opened with a subdued piano solo by Denny Redmond, and lead to a muted a cappella solo from Gordon that froze
Sets from the Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble and the CR Jazz Big Band featured guest artist, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. He currently serves on the faculty of the Jazz Studies program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro but his career has taken him around the world. Gordon has been a member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, played in numerous television appearances including Ken Burns' Jazz, and served as the U.S. State Department's "Official Jazz Ambassador."
Mike Salow, the guitarist for Kirkwood's 20-piece ensemble, opened the night by leading the band through a subtle intro to their rendition of Juanito. The pianist, Chase Garrett, didn't waste any time when he took his first solo section and throughout the song Jeff Madland, on drums, showed his fluency in Latin rhythms.
The third song brought a personnel change as the band's director, Dr. Tim Feldkamp, announced bassist Blake Shaw's move from the upright to a microphone in order to handle the vocals for No More Blues. With his blue highlights and Stevie Wonder-esque tenor voice, Shaw stole the show.
That is until Gordon joined the band to play out the second half of their set.
From the first song after his arrival, Somebody New, which he authored himself, Gordon took over the attention of anyone in the audience whose child wasn't a participant in the band. A large man in a black pin-stripe suit, with the mis-matched personality of a brash but polite boxer, everyone knew despite the smile, he was about to do some damage.
From guttural noises to sweet melodic runs, in just a few songs Gordon did more with a trombone then seemed possible. Between his solos he snapped up the band, co-directing with Feldkamp to keep the band extra tight.
The set ended with Herkie Jerkie, a song that true to its name, switches back and forth from a straightforward big band feel to a low and funky groove. Every time the band hit the brakes, Gordon stepped out to make use of the contrasting vibe.
After a short intermission the CR Jazz Big Band took over. The saxes took the lead in the band's first offering, Count Bubba, before handing it off to the trombones and then the trumpets.
The next song, Memento, written by University of Northern Iowa graduate, Kyle Novak, featured a powerful solo from Al Taylor.
A song later, Gordon joined the band to finish out the set. The first offering, The "Woogie," penned by Gordon, was a funky piece straight of New Orleans. Gordon lead the band through the progressions at all times and the band closely followed, as if they weren't meeting Gordon for the first time.
I can't get started, another Gordon original, opened with a subdued piano solo by Denny Redmond, and lead to a muted a cappella solo from Gordon that froze
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