39th annual Jazz Festival leaves audience riveted

I'm going to post all my articles that posted in The Whit, Rowan University's school paper. Here is my first ever post about the Jazz Festival held on Feb. 13, 2009:

It was an amazing night of nostalgia in Pfleeger Hall, capping off the 39th Annual Jazz Festival as students and professors took the audience on a journey through the pieces of two great jazz composers, George Gershwin and Cole Porter.

“It was an excellent show,” said Lillian Robinson, of Williamstown.

The show was split into two sections. The Rowan University Lab Band, directed by Denis Deblasio, took the stage first. The Rowan University Jazz Band, directed by George Rabbai, soon followed, with a guest performer on jazz trumpet throughout the show.

The show was highlighted by many student performances, including the solos of three sax players: freshman Giovanni Petrilli, junior Dan Myers, and sophomore Josh Freysinger. Senior drummer Brandon Blackburn led both bands with his stellar play and was supported by bassists Victor Caraballo and sophomore Andrew Bohn.

Stealing the show was vocalist Siiyara Nelson, who performed on Porter’s “Begin the Beguine” and Gershwin’s “A Foggy Day (In London Town)” and “Our Love is Here to Stay.”
Arlean Keller, of Glassboro, who was there with her husband and friends, has attended the Jazz Festival for the past 35 years and was particularly impressed by Nelson.

“I loved her,” said Keller. “She had an amazing voice.”

The show kicked off with the Lab Band performing Gershwin’s “So Wonderful,” which featured Myers on the baritone saxophone. The band then went into Porter’s “Love For Sale,” with Petrilli providing an excellent solo, and pianist Eric Aldrich laying down the keys.

Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me” was next on the list, featuring Myers again on the baritone sax. Nelson then made her first appearance on Porter’s “Begin the Beguine,” with Jared Lynch on jazz guitar. That was followed by the instrumental arrangement of Gershwin’s “A Foggy Day,” featuring juniors Matt Martin on saxophone, Owen Cunningham on flute and Blackburn on the drums.

The crowd was then treated with a special appearance by the head of the opera department, Marian Stieber. She sang Gershwin’s “Summertime,” with the addition of Petrilli on the saxophone.

The tempo picked back up with Porter’s “Fascinating Rhythm,” performed by juniors Samantha McLeod on flute and Mike Zdeb on guitar. Lynch then led the band in Porter’s “In the Still of the Night” on guitar. “I Loves You Porgy” was the next Gershwin song performed, featuring Rabbai on the jazz trumpet. Many may have recognized this song when it was performed by Christina Aguilera during the 2003 Grammy’s.

The first set was then capped off when the members of the Women’s Choir (WOCHO) came out to sing on a medley of two Gershwin tunes, “Fascinating Rhythm” and “I Got Rhythm,” with the latter containing a drum solo by Blackburn. Myers also soloed on the baritone sax.

After the break, the Jazz Band entertained the crowd with four Gershwin songs, starting off with singer Nelson and saxophonist Freysinger performing “A Foggy Day.” Alumni Phil Verespy did a guest solo of “I’ve Got a Crush on You,” a song that was made popular by Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

Nelson then came out and sang on “Our Love is Here to Stay” with Rabbai on jazz trumpet. The Jazz Band closed out the show with the swinging “But Not For Me.”

Both bands were exceptional, especially with the energy the Jazz Band brought during their short performance.