While both students and staff might be running out of steam as the end of the semester nears, City College’s award-winning jazz ensembles once again heat up the stage at the Garvin Theatre in the Jazz Ensemble’s Concert on May 7 at 7 p.m.
“Three bands will be playing music that is some new, some old,” Professor James Mooy said.
The swinging trio of big band jazz groups consist of the Monday Madness band directed by Ike Jenkins, the Good Times Band directed by Eric Heidner, and the Lunch Break Band under the direction of James Mooy.
All three bands will be performing material that they have been working with during the course of the semester, each within their own bands, Jenkins said.
The Monday Madness Band is an ensemble made up of professionals and advanced students whereas the Good Times Band is an intermediate ensemble in which students can improve their skills in reading and improvisation. The Lunch Break Band is another advanced ensemble that has taken home several top honors at the Reno Jazz festival.
This concert will be the high point for the ensembles this semester and Mooy said he hopes to see a just as large crowd and high level of energy as at the bands’ previous performance with professional musician Red Holloway, on March 26.
“We’re going to try to have that same confidence built where the audience was clapping way before the song ended because it was just so exciting,” Mooy said.
A new addition to the program this semester has been the ongoing collaboration the bands have had with numerous professionals.
Every other week, the Good Times Band and the Lunch Break Band have been privileged to work with a studio musician, an opportunity and component of the course Mooy said has been very rewarding.
“It’s been amazing,” he said. “We all have lunch between the two rehearsals and they get a chance to tell stories and talk to people that really is into what they are doing.
“[The professionals] give stage advice and that’s the kind of advice only a person that’s working in the business can give.”
The response from the students on the initiative has also been very positive.
“They love it,” Mooy said. “It’s like being able to call Kobe Bryant and ask him to hang out with the basketball team. People don’t do that to studio musicians. It’s been very valuable.”