Students may know Warehouse 25sixty-five as the trendy bar in town to which patrons of all ages go dressed up in cowboy boots and their unscuffed pairs of jeans on the weekends, often to enjoy live country music with a classy cocktail.
On Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 7:00-10:00 p.m., the bar will be changing face for a night of smooth jazz, performed by several CMU jazz groups: one vocal jazz group, two smaller instrumental jazz combos and the instrumental jazz ensemble itself. With a plethora of food and drinks available and free admission, this night is not to be missed.
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The vocal jazz ensemble, called the Vocal Chords, is directed by Monte Atkinson. The group is comprised of 15 singers, including nine women and six men. These fifteen students auditioned for their parts in the group, and are categorized by their vocal ability and range. Three females are high vocals, three are middle and three are low. Similarly, two males are in each category of high, middle and bass vocals. The group will perform three songs alternating between acapella (without music) and accompaniment (with music). The accompanied tunes are performed by the Vocal Chords Jazz Combo featuring bass guitar, piano and drums.
The Vocal Chords’ three songs each feature soloists, too. Their opening number, “The Nearness of You” arranged by Kirby Shaw, features seniors Breezy Spruill and Levi Willis as soloists. The second tune, “Back in the High Life Again” arranged by Kerry Marsh, features a solo by sophomore Mandolyn Raper. The final number, a Samba tune entitled “I’m Beginning to See the Light” features sophomore soloist Samantha Kuermmerle.
Darin Kamstra directs the two instrumental combos and jazz ensemble that will also perform at The Warehouse. Both jazz combos will perform music written and arranged by students in the group. The assignment was to use chords from an existing tune, to create an original song in what is called a “contrafact.” In contrast to the smaller jazz combos, the jazz ensemble is a big band featuring 19 student musicians. The ensemble will perform several familiar tunes of varying genres including “And Then I Knew”, a rock song by esteemed guitarist Pat Metheny, and Celia, an old bebop song by famous pianist Bud Powell.
Both combos as well as the jazz ensemble feature improvisation by members of the group. Improvisation is a method often used in jazz performances in which soloists make up lines of music, or improvise, in real time as they perform.
The large variety of jazz music and students will make Jazz Night at The Warehouse a night to remember. All students and community members are encouraged to come out to support the groups, while enjoying the delicious menu of food and beverages and experience the raw talent of some of CMU’s finest musicians.
