We just got back from tonight’s UMM Jazz Fest, and it was another evening of high energy (and high volume) jazz. Jazz 1 was hot and tight, and the alumni played with their characteristic enthusiasm. We didn’t get many combos, but the ones we did were nice and included one of only a handful of really good student vocals in all our years of going to Jazz Fests. Kate Rogers sang with some real soul, and I’d definitely like to hear more of her.
The guest artists were all good, but the real stand-out for me was Jane Bunnett on sax and flute. The guest musicians over the years have all been technically skilled, but many (most?) have been more technical than emotional. Bunnett really felt the songs, and brought some neat history and depth to her performances. I’ve never much liked flute in any context, but I totally dug her flute playing. It had great rhythmic snap, and she even made it growl like a Barry White sax solo. She’s definitely got the boogie in her bones and it was a blast watching (and hearing) her play. I bought two of her CDs (Red dragonfly and Spirituals & dedications), but obviously haven’t had a chance to listen to them yet.
You gotta love an evening where a student manages to work the “Hokey pokey” into a trombone solo and make it fit!
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