Posted 11:31 pm Saturday, September 29, 2012
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Tyler Junior College band students unleashed for 2 nights of singing, dancing
By Stewart Smith
ssmith@tylerpaper.com
Where are you going to be able to find a jazz band and a drumline playing at the same concert? Unless you're at Tyler Junior College's upcoming Band'a'Palooza, probably nowhere.
On Oct. 5 and 6, the TJC Jazz Ensemble and the Apache Punch drumline will combine their musical talents for two full nights of singing, dancing and a whole lot of music.
ssmith@tylerpaper.com
Where are you going to be able to find a jazz band and a drumline playing at the same concert? Unless you're at Tyler Junior College's upcoming Band'a'Palooza, probably nowhere.
On Oct. 5 and 6, the TJC Jazz Ensemble and the Apache Punch drumline will combine their musical talents for two full nights of singing, dancing and a whole lot of music.
“It's band students unleashed,” said Heather Mensch, TJC professor of jazz studies.
The first act, she said, is a bit more “straight-laced” with a few pop-oriented pieces with performances of material including “Sing Sing Sing,” some Duke Ellington tunes, “Blue Skies” and others.
“Then in the second act we swing more toward rock and funk and a lot of '70s disco in there, some Beatles tunes, Earth Wind & Fire, there's pretty much something for everyone,” Mrs. Mensch said. “In providing a jazz education, I always try to make sure (students) play a little bit of every style.”
This marks the debut of the event, which Mrs. Mensch said grew out of the ensemble's performances with Harmony & Understanding, the school's pops group. Mrs. Mensch felt the jazz ensembles was being held back in some ways by that particular collaboration, and so decided to play the role of mad scientist and fuse these somewhat disparate musical groups into one show.
“The administration gave us the go-ahead to let the band kids sing and dance and move around and show off all of their talents. This gives them a chance to let loose and relax,” she said.
And with the diverse setlist, it was also a chance, she said, to demonstrate to her jazz students just how varied a musician's life can be.
“Then in the second act we swing more toward rock and funk and a lot of '70s disco in there, some Beatles tunes, Earth Wind & Fire, there's pretty much something for everyone,” Mrs. Mensch said. “In providing a jazz education, I always try to make sure (students) play a little bit of every style.”
This marks the debut of the event, which Mrs. Mensch said grew out of the ensemble's performances with Harmony & Understanding, the school's pops group. Mrs. Mensch felt the jazz ensembles was being held back in some ways by that particular collaboration, and so decided to play the role of mad scientist and fuse these somewhat disparate musical groups into one show.
“The administration gave us the go-ahead to let the band kids sing and dance and move around and show off all of their talents. This gives them a chance to let loose and relax,” she said.
And with the diverse setlist, it was also a chance, she said, to demonstrate to her jazz students just how varied a musician's life can be.
“One week I get called and I go play at a church, and the next I get called and go play in the pit for musical and then the next week I get called and I'm in a rock show,” Mrs. Mensch said. “This gives them that kind of rush of getting to do all that. It's a full-blown variety act with about an hour-and-a-half of music and dancing and singing all at once.”
The Apache Punch drumline will be somewhat scaled back from its full force, but they will be used to provide some punchy punctuation between sets by the two jazz ensembles.
“You'll get a chance to have a closer look at what they do,” she said. “You'll get to see their personalities come out as they perform their medleys, and they sing as well.”
Band'a'Palooza will take place at 7:30 p.m. both nights in Wise Auditorium on the TJC Campus. Admission is free.
The Apache Punch drumline will be somewhat scaled back from its full force, but they will be used to provide some punchy punctuation between sets by the two jazz ensembles.
“You'll get a chance to have a closer look at what they do,” she said. “You'll get to see their personalities come out as they perform their medleys, and they sing as well.”
Band'a'Palooza will take place at 7:30 p.m. both nights in Wise Auditorium on the TJC Campus. Admission is free.
