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It’s that time of year again. The sound of smooth jazz filled Williams Recital Hall this past Friday as part of the free jazz concerts held every week at the Newman Center for the Arts also known as Flo’s Underground.

As part of the curriculum for the Jazz Studies and Commercial Music program (JSCM), 10 jazz ensembles are required to participate in these performances as well as jam sessions in which local musicians are allowed to sit in. Each of the groups except Free Improvisation, Vocal Repertoire, and Vocal Jazz play twice a quarter with the groups alternating each week.

What makes this a successful program is the small, intimate setting created by both the musicians and the space they are performing in. The size of Williams Recital Hall allows the audience to mix with the performers and the first row seating reaches right to the threshold of the stage, putting those in front almost on stage with the performers. 

With a crowd of about 50 people including a mix of students, parents, children and members of the community in attendance, it is clear that this is a popular program across the DU community. Cheers of approval as well as a lot of smiling and bopping heads encouraged the students to play with gusto and to take chances.

“Anyone want to play the piano?” This quote from the emcee of the show showcased how the performances were a complete collaborative effort on all fronts. While there were specific groups playing onstage at one time, there was a collective feel to the performance with many students being individually called to play during specific songs and sections. It was wonderful to watch how the musicians interacted with each other onstage.

Eye contact was essential to the performance and was a key to the success of the song since much of the performance was based on improvisation from individual students.

One of the most enjoyable aspects about the concert was watching how each student put their own style into their performances. Between dressing like jazz musicians of old and grooving out while playing individual sections, the students truly showcased their talents.

Performances occur on a weekly basis and on November 10th, there will be the first Jazz Night Concert broadcast live on the KUVO radio station. Mal Martin, who has played with major jazz musicians such as Dizzie Gillespie, will be joining in on the fun. Jazz Night is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Gates Music Hall.