Category | Arts & Living

“All That Jazz”

Published on April 22, 2008 by The Sentinel

    On Wednesday, April 16, staff, students and visitors attended the
Jazz Combo and Jazz Guitar Ensemble concert located in the Dr. Bobbie
Bailey and Family Performance Center.

    The concert was directed by Trey Wright, an artist-in-residence in jazz guitar. The concert consisted of three sections: Kennesaw State Jazz Guitar Ensemble, Jazz Combo A and Jazz Combo B.

    The first section, “The Loose Appaloosa” by Chris Buzzelli wonderfully represented a horse (the term ‘Appaloosa’ is a horse breed).

    Then, in the second (and only) part of the concert a live performer, Ms. Laura Shirley, came to the stage. The popular ‘20s song, “Love Me or Leave Me” by Walter Donaldson and Gus Khan, began playing and the audience eagerly waited to hear Shirley sing. Once she began to sing, it was clear that Shirley was blessed with a beautiful, soulful and sweet voice.

    In the final group, they played songs such as the 1968 “Road Song” by Wes Montgomery.

    The song is similar to the type of songs played in a movie where a character packs up everything and moves on to their next destination in life.

    The last song was introduced by saxophone player, Mr. Brandon Belle, who said simply, “This song is a song that most of you have heard-‘Super Mario Medley.’” In 1985, Koji Kondo created the worldwide famous tune.

    In the end, there is no doubt that the last song reminded most of the audience members of their childhood memories of playing the video game.

    Overall, the Jazz Combo provided us with different varieties of jazz ranging from Smooth, Latin and Soulful.