Jazz concert report - Essay Example

California Jazz Conservatory (CJC) Introduction I attended the California jazz conservatory CJC on Friday, February 27th at 8:00 pm. The institution is well equipped with jazz instruments, and it is a non profit institution. It was founded by Susan Muscarella who is also a pianist. Their aim is to preserve and grow jazz as an American indigenous art form. The concerts run on Fridays to Sunday on most weeks. Performers are mostly faculty at the CJC institution.CJCThe name of the musicians performing was Zilberella.

This is because the group was based of Susan Muscarella (founder of CJC) and Michael Zilber (instructor at CJC) AKA Zilberella. Susan is a pianist while Michael Zilber is a saxophonist. They were joined by other CJC members Jeff Chambers and Jason Lewis both played bass and drums consecutively. The concert lasted for an hour and forty minutes.Zilberella mainly played contemporary jazz pieces but they also interpreted standards of jazz. The jazz pieces they showcased include: - ‘UN POCO LOCO’ which is a style of jazz called Bright Latin.

Medium –up swing jazz style had songs which included ‘bud Powell’ and ‘blues on the corner’. Another style of jazz included the bright swing which they sung to ‘Voyage’ together with a ballad ‘THE MEANING OF BLUES’. Interpretation of standards was showcased by the song ‘You leave me breathless’.Zilberella had no featured soloists as they each played a part to the songs. Furthermore, they covered everything but their areas of interest were in the showcasing of contemporary jazz music and standards of jazz.

The performance of the group was amazing because Zilberella could actually read the audience’s mood and switch tempo and rhythm to suit the moods. They also effectively utilized the use of blue note in their performance. The key signature changes were the most amazing in the whole performances the audience was well catered for in terms of music.In my opinion I think Susan was the most talented. She played the piano but was also reading the crowd mood and organizing the group to make the necessary changes.

Her ability to know how to switch the rhythm and tempos and changing keys was magnificent since it went smoothly and perfectly. Michael was also good at the saxophone since he played his heart out mixing his emotions and feelings in his facial expression. It was like he was acting out the song to the audience which made the audience and the group to connect.I must say that that Michaels way of silently talking to the audience through facial expressions and Susan’s ability to read mood and change keys was a very good bonding and interaction of the group to the audience.

On the other hand, the members of the group plus the two CJC members had good interaction between themselves (Weir, 20). Otherwise they would not have managed the smooth transition from key to key in line with audience’s moods.ConclusionThe group Zilberella had so much knowledge in jazz as the ‘feel’ of music could be seen (Weir, 44). There was so many jazz characteristics that I observed. Jazz is a kind of music where the performer relays what they feel and this was evident in the group’s performance.

This was also together with their usage of chords since they adjusted their music according to the audience mood which was exemplary. Zilberella had a strong and very outstanding meter which blended well with their syncopated rhythms and tone. Moreover, there was the use of improvisation in their music blended with facial expressions and some odd musical signatures in their performance. Overall, it was a stellar performance and memorable one too.Work CitedWeir, Michele. Jazz Singers Handbook: [the Artistry and Mastery of Singing Jazz; Includes Jazz Standards Recorded by Chet Baker .]. Vyn Nuys, CA: Alfred Publ, 2005. Print.