Musical ensemble gives ‘em old razzle-dazzle with Jazz Swing Night

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:07:42 GMT

By Tomiko Mason

Arieyl Jones
Band director Brian Damron busts out a sassy saxophone solo at Jazz Swing Night. From top row, left: sophomores Marco Escobar and Zack Kaye; middle row: sophomores Gordon Gregg and Nirajj Raju; bottom row: senior Stephen Klingner and sophomore Joshua Kennes get ready to join in the song.

Silver Spring, MD (03/20/09)--Turning a school cafeteria into a smooth jazz club is no easy feat, but the Eubie Blake Jazz Ensemble, accompanied by the Eubietones quartet, met that challenge last Friday and got the place jumping and jiving at the annual Jazz Swing Night. “Swing night isn’t one of those ‘come sit for two hours and listen and be quiet’ kinds of concerts,” says senior pianist Alex Taub. The performance included dinner and dancing for the audience while the band played two solid hours of jazz standards by composers like Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and George Gershwin. Over 25 pieces were practiced for the event, including three songs with vocal accompaniment. Says Taub, the music was “just good classic jazz that’s good for dancing.” “The performance was received unbelievably well,” adds senior quartet singer Samantha Kramer. “It was a full room and…there were tons of couples on the dance floor the whole evening.” The Eubietones quartet, led by chorus director Johnathan Dunn, featured seniors David Tuttle and Kramer, junior Jacob Perry, and sophomore Ashley Larkin. “There has been a lot of intense preparation,” says Larkin. “The music we [sang] has a lot of dissonant harmonies and we are all by ourselves on our part.” Adds Kramer, “For a while it seemed we would never get it together.” The Jazz Ensemble, directed by band teacher Brian Damron, prepared intensely for the evening’s show too. “We had a few night and weekend practices,” says senior Nathan Tucker. “Mr. Damron [tried] to work us really hard.” Mr. Damron himself played an alto sax solo. Adds Mr. Damron, “The whole night is magical. It is reminiscent of jazz clubs of the 20s and 30s, where dancing and having fun is key.” For Perry, the best part of the experience was “the sheer excitement of performing with the ensemble.” Adds Larkin, “Every single person in that band is so talented and it was so much fun working with them. “

The Blake Beat

Musical ensemble gives ‘em old razzle-dazzle with Jazz Swing Night