Jazz band hits all the right notes
Jazz band rocks first show at Cascarelli's
By STEPHANIE EDWARDS
Staff Writer

Kenny Pingel, St. Johns sophomore; David Goodrich, Livonia senior; Jacob Stoneburner, Wyandotte sophomore; and Ted Stiger, Alpena senior, perform at the first Jazz at ‘Relli’s performance of the fall semester.

Two hours before the start of the Albion College Jazz Ensemble’s first “Jazz at ‘Relli’s” show of the year on Sept. 20, a line of over a dozen students had already formed, weaving through the bar at Cascarelli’s, waiting for seats and creating obstacles for waitresses.

The jazz band played two sets, both lasting about 45 minutes, with a 15 minute intermission between. 

After the last notes of the performance were played, Leer Sobie, former jazz band bass player who graduated in 2008, was very impressed by the group’s performance.

“They (the Jazz Ensemble) sound so much more prepared for their first gig than they have for the last four years since I’ve known the band, and they are playing harder music,” Sobie said.

According to James Ball, director of the Albion College Jazz Ensemble, although eight out of the 19 musicians are new to the group this year, they were well prepared. Ball felt good about the way the group’s first performance went.

Ball said the group is excelling due to the strong example and leadership of the returning senior members in the band:  David Goodrich of Livonia, Dave Van Haren of Ada, Lisa Anderson of Cadillac, Megan Bosket of Eureka, Mont., and Joey Bednark of Millersburg.

Ball also notes the musical contributions of the jazz ensemble’s new members.

“I think we have a good group of first-year students,” Ball said. “They’re picking up more music faster than any other group of first-year students since I started doing the jazz band.” 

Trumpet player Joey Bednark, Millersburg senior, seems more critical.

“I think we really struggled with the tempo on ‘Count Bubba’ (by Gordon Goodwin),” Bednark said. “The saxes speed too much, the trombones lose time after that and the trumpets rush their eighth notes.”

Despite Bednark’s concerns, audience member Chelsea Denault, Clinton Twp. first-year, was pleased with the performance.

“They are awesome!” Denault said.

After the completion of the first of the two sets that the band played, over half of the crowd members dispersed.

During the second set, however, those who did stay began to cheer.

After Angela Zito, Rochester senior, began chanting, “Play ‘Tank!’ (by the Seatbelts),” the band acquiesced to Zito’s request and played “Tank” as their encore piece.

Gigs at Cascarelli’s happen on the third Saturday of each month.  The next Cascarelli’s performance will be Oct. 25 at 9 p.m.