The
Jazz Experience
Eric Wright, posted Dec. 5, 2006
Jazz
is a musical sensation that dates back to the 1800's in America.
It has since flourished as musicians who find the style alluring
continue to practice the music form. The University of Missouri
is home to such aspiring players in its own jazz band. Douglas
J. Leibinger, director of jazz performance studies, leads
the front who has found success in the scores of people turning
out to the performances.
In Leibinger's
office, there is a plethora of jazz albums and a story enveloped
in his experience within the jazz scene. While he said it's
a hard way to earn a living, nonetheless he has enjoyed many
of the invaluable opportunities he has had. After graduating
from the University of Miami with a degree in jazz performance,
he spent some time touring with a Latin pop star in South
America and even has studio credits with P. Diddy.
"Performing
is a very hard job,” he said, and cites this as a reason
for his seeking out the job he holds now at MU.
Leibinger
said the alluring aspect of jazz for him was improvisation.
Improvisation has been a major part of the jazz genre since
its conception. It requires a musician to extemporaneously
play over the changing chords of the supporting band. Imagine
a steadily moving train winding through gentle plains and
foothills, this is similar to the way the progressing notes
of a lone musician would grace a soundscape.
"Music
made in the moment has a lot of personality,” Leibinger
said.
Brendan
Culp is a freshman in the jazz band program who has enjoyed
his experience.
"It’s
fun, just the opportunity to play, if I wasn't in the jazz
band I wouldn't have a set to play," he said. “I’ve
met a lot of new people and playing has made me better overall."
Culp also
felt it was enjoyable to play for an audience. The MU Jazz
Band, composed of a rhythm section, horns and woodwinds in
mass, generally sticks to shows at Memorial Union. However,
there are also jazz combos within the jazz band program, which
have played many other shows, on and off campus. The combos
are smaller, made up of a few players, representing each section.
T.J. Perrin
was a student in attendance of a Memorial Union show. Speaking
beneath a long beard and aviator sunglasses, he described
the show as an enjoyable experience. "It was a good time,"
he said "very chill."
For appreciators
of jazz, this may be part of the draw. Jazz is smooth, or
cool as Miles Davis, the famous jazz trumpeter might say.
It’s not without its upbeat moments though, and amidst
the subtle atmosphere these moments of musical climax, send
chills down spines.
For students
who aren't avid fans of jazz, but wouldn't mind understanding
what all the jive is about, Leibinger has some recommendations.
"Seek
out players that you like, real performance-based music. People
gravitate more towards performers,” he said. “A
good listening album is Kind Of Blue. It’s a good representation
of modern jazz and offers John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Julian
Adderley at their best.”
The jazz
band is finished performing this semester, but it will resume
next semester. If you would like to try out to play next semester,
everyone is welcome to. For more information contact Leibinger
or visit the University
Bands Web site.
