JAM: August/September 2006 Issue: Feature Story

IT'S ABOUT THE MUSIC!

By Linda Eddy and Bill Eddy

Oh, baby — three countries, four concerts, notes flying off the page, pumping up the audiences, bringing them along with the music, a band jelling in a way they’ve not achieved before. Brains still buzzing from it all.

The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Concert Jazz Band descended on Paris, then the Montreux Jazz Festival, and finally the North Sea Jazz Festival and ripped it up for jazz fans from around the world.

Bobby Watson, director of the Jazz Studies Program at UMKC, stands at the helm — hip, cool, beloved by the band — teacher, mentor, inspiration. A guy who keeps making his mark on the world of jazz and teaching those he’s come to care so much
about how to make their own marks.

Michael Pagan, assistant director, making a major contribution to the success of the Jazz Studies Program, bringing his expertise as a composer, arranger and leader — a pianist with big chops, a big heart, and an endearing sense of humor.

Fans caught up in the moment by fresh, inventive sounds: compositions and arrangements by Bobby Watson, Michael Pagan, Pamela Baskin Watson, Oliver Nelson, Paul McKee, Wayne Shorter, Edward Simon, David Jones, and Clint Ashlock.
The Concert Jazz Band distinguished itself from the pack by a repertoire that tantalized and energized, new works from creative minds, rather than stock arrangements that are the standard for many college bands. Then there was also the matter of how the band played — they just blew people away. An
admirer in Switzerland said, “I can’t believe they’re a college band!” As Bobby Watson said “It’s about the music” and it was, in every way.

A band celebrating what they’re accomplishing together, and feeling a little bittersweet with Ryan Culbertson, Clint Ashlock, and John Thieben completing degrees and moving on to new adventures. Excitement for Kevin Cerovich off to test his mettle
at two world jazz trombone competitions in England, already achieving a level of greatness by being one of the three finalists in the competitions.

Members of Jazz Friends sharing in the excitement, loving the sounds, bursting with pride, getting to know the band members. What a thrill to hear the band play at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on the Champs de Mars, with the wonder that is Paris surrounding us; on the Parc Vernex and Rouvenaz stages at the Montruex Jazz Festival held on the gorgeous shore of Lake Geneva, soaking up the sun and the ambience; and finally at one of the world’s biggest jazz happenings, the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam where tens of thousands listened
to the likes of McCoy Tyner, Branford Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter, with thirteen different venues featuring music simutaneously.

It felt so good to see the crowds swell because the word was out that this was the band to hear, to listen to their comments, hear the applause. Fans couldn’t help being impressed with the band’s intensity and energy, with its deep pockets of outstanding soloists. They knew that this was a band that came to stop them in their tracks, and stop they did, and groove they did.

How do you place a value on such an experience? What’s it like to play as a band, a section, a soloist, maybe better than you’ve ever played before? What does it mean to develop a deeper
sense of yourself and your competence as a musician? What is the impact of developing a broader perspective on the world? Then there’s that sense of connectedness that comes from being there together, remembering how it felt to make such good music, supporting each other, and appreciating each other’s contributions and accomplishments.

The saxophones: John Thieben (alto), Gary Denbow (alto), Patrick Ketter (tenor), Will Sanders (tenor), Michael Firkins (baritone)

Trombones: Kevin Cerovich, Nathan Dishman, Jeremy Grote, Ryan Culbertson (bass)

Trumpets: David Sturch, Clint Ashlock, Nick Howell, Doug Reneau.

Rhythm: Michael Pagan (piano), Ben Leifer (bass), Zack Albetta (drums), Pable Sanhueza (percussion)

. . . . . Priceless, awesome, unforgetable.

For Jazz Friends who got to tag along
. . . . . Priceless, awesome, unforgetable

Linda Eddy is a Conservatory graduate and UMKC Conservatory Jazz Friends board member and Chair of Jazz &
BBQ 2006; Bill Eddy is president of Jazz Friends.

Editor’s Note: You’ll have an opportunity to hear the UMKC Conservatory of Music & Dance Concert Jazz Band under the direction of Bobby Watson at the 5th Annual Jazz & BBQ on September 25, 2006. Kenny Drew, Jr., will be the featured guest artist. Jazz & BBQ is sponsored by Jazz Friends and benefits the Jazz Studies Program. For more information see ad on page 3 of JAM or call (816) 235-6173.






	Search our site:		IT'S ABOUT THE MUSIC! By Linda Eddy and Bill Eddy Oh, baby — three countries, four concerts, notes flying off the page, pumping up the audiences, bringing them along with the music, a band jelling in a way they’ve not achieved before. Brains still buzzing from it all. The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Concert Jazz Band descended on Paris, then the Montreux Jazz Festival, and finally the North Sea Jazz Festival and ripped it up for jazz fans from around the world. Bobby Watson, director of the Jazz Studies Program at UMKC, stands at the helm — hip, cool, beloved by the band — teacher, mentor, inspiration. A guy who keeps making his mark on the world of jazz and teaching those he’s come to care so much about how to make their own marks. Michael Pagan, assistant director, making a major contribution to the success of the Jazz Studies Program, bringing his expertise as a composer, arranger and leader — a pianist with big chops, a big heart, and an endearing sense of humor. Fans caught up in the moment by fresh, inventive sounds: compositions and arrangements by Bobby Watson, Michael Pagan, Pamela Baskin Watson, Oliver Nelson, Paul McKee, Wayne Shorter, Edward Simon, David Jones, and Clint Ashlock. The Concert Jazz Band distinguished itself from the pack by a repertoire that tantalized and energized, new works from creative minds, rather than stock arrangements that are the standard for many college bands. Then there was also the matter of how the band played — they just blew people away. An admirer in Switzerland said, “I can’t believe they’re a college band!” As Bobby Watson said “It’s about the music” and it was, in every way. A band celebrating what they’re accomplishing together, and feeling a little bittersweet with Ryan Culbertson, Clint Ashlock, and John Thieben completing degrees and moving on to new adventures. Excitement for Kevin Cerovich off to test his mettle at two world jazz trombone competitions in England, already achieving a level of greatness by being one of the three finalists in the competitions. Members of Jazz Friends sharing in the excitement, loving the sounds, bursting with pride, getting to know the band members. What a thrill to hear the band play at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on the Champs de Mars, with the wonder that is Paris surrounding us; on the Parc Vernex and Rouvenaz stages at the Montruex Jazz Festival held on the gorgeous shore of Lake Geneva, soaking up the sun and the ambience; and finally at one of the world’s biggest jazz happenings, the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam where tens of thousands listened to the likes of McCoy Tyner, Branford Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter, with thirteen different venues featuring music simutaneously. It felt so good to see the crowds swell because the word was out that this was the band to hear, to listen to their comments, hear the applause. Fans couldn’t help being impressed with the band’s intensity and energy, with its deep pockets of outstanding soloists. They knew that this was a band that came to stop them in their tracks, and stop they did, and groove they did. How do you place a value on such an experience? What’s it like to play as a band, a section, a soloist, maybe better than you’ve ever played before? What does it mean to develop a deeper sense of yourself and your competence as a musician? What is the impact of developing a broader perspective on the world? Then there’s that sense of connectedness that comes from being there together, remembering how it felt to make such good music, supporting each other, and appreciating each other’s contributions and accomplishments. The saxophones: John Thieben (alto), Gary Denbow (alto), Patrick Ketter (tenor), Will Sanders (tenor), Michael Firkins (baritone) Trombones: Kevin Cerovich, Nathan Dishman, Jeremy Grote, Ryan Culbertson (bass) Trumpets: David Sturch, Clint Ashlock, Nick Howell, Doug Reneau. Rhythm: Michael Pagan (piano), Ben Leifer (bass), Zack Albetta (drums), Pable Sanhueza (percussion) . . . . . Priceless, awesome, unforgetable. For Jazz Friends who got to tag along . . . . . Priceless, awesome, unforgetable Linda Eddy is a Conservatory graduate and UMKC Conservatory Jazz Friends board member and Chair of Jazz & BBQ 2006; Bill Eddy is president of Jazz Friends. Editor’s Note: You’ll have an opportunity to hear the UMKC Conservatory of Music & Dance Concert Jazz Band under the direction of Bobby Watson at the 5th Annual Jazz & BBQ on September 25, 2006. Kenny Drew, Jr., will be the featured guest artist. Jazz & BBQ is sponsored by Jazz Friends and benefits the Jazz Studies Program. For more information see ad on page 3 of JAM or call (816) 235-6173. RETURN TO AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2006. All rights reserved.