The UVI Jazz Ensemble's Spring concert was a joyful celebration of jazz standards. Virtuoso trumpet player Jon Faddis shared more than his tremendous talents on Friday night, he shared his enthusiasm and relaxation in making music.
The event started promptly and quickly got the crowd involved in the booming sound of braaa. When Jon Faddis revealed his fantastic range and control on the trumpet, the crowd was momentarily stunned, the awareness of something very special spreading a hush, then applause erupted at the finish of his solo.
. Lee Olive Tucker fronted the band with her vocal talents on Misty in the first half of the program. Solos by Joseph Ramsey on saxophone and Clayton Emanuel on trumpet were also warmly received, yet after hearing Faddis, the crowd eagerly anticipated his next solo.
In a fun interaction with the trumpet section, Faddis joined the trumpets in the back of the band, and joined in a call and response duel with the other lead trumpet. Pure enjoyment of playing permeated the moment, even when Faddis' soaring riffs left his partners just laughing at the distance he had left behind.
Night in Tunisia, with solos by Faddis and others in the band, brought the crowd to it's feet in spontaneous applause. The relaxed atmosphere nurtured by director Martin J. Lamkin underplayed the intensity of the effort, but there was a feeling that the best efforts of the band were produced for the talented visitor.
The small crowd gathered at the beautiful amphitheater Friday night were treated to a rare and exciting performance by local and international jazz greats.
