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Analysis Of Jazz Ensemble Concert

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On October 26, 2017, in the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center Recital Hall at the University of South Alabama, there was Jazz Ensemble Concert directed by Tracy Heavner. The night was filled with the rhythmic groove of jazz. By writing this report I hope to show you, the reader, a new perspective of Jazz Music. The first piece, Lady Bird, by Tadd Dameron was written in 1939. The Jazz Ensemble began the piece by putting their full hearts in it. By using repetition of the melody in the saxophones and clarinets it helps the ensemble build suspense. Once the tenor saxophone comes in with a solo, the performer runs through chromatic scales smoothly. The ensemble continues with the melody leading to a heavy melody held in the trumpets until an alto saxophone comes in and takes the melody away. The rest of the ensemble holds the countermelody that compliments the alto saxophone well. The alto saxophone passes the melody to the piano where then it was passed to a trombone. This piece took one melody and bounces it all around the ensemble to show off different performers abilities with their instruments. The second piece, Makin’ Whoopee, by Gus Kahn and Walter Donaldson was written in 1928. This piece was made famous by Eddie Cantor. This piece adds suspense in the low brass with a repeating melody in the woodwinds. A trombone comes out in a solo with a slow tempo and a low dynamic making the sound very legato. By placing a mute in a trumpet this piece of music ended with an edgy

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