From left, assistant professor of jazz studies, saxophone, and improvisation Diego Rivera, assistant professor of jazz trumpet Etienne Charles, and assistant professor of jazz trombone Michael Dease prepare to begin the MSU Professors of Jazz concert Aug. 28, 2013 at the Pasant Theatre. The professors dedicated the performance to the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Katie Stiefel/The State News
Jazz professor Randy Gelispie holds a single drumstick between his fingers and tap, tap, taps on the cymbal of his shining drum set.
Rodney Whitaker, director of jazz studies at the College of Music, is picking away at the strings of his bass, wrinkling his brow in concentration.
It’s 4:30 p.m., and the many professors of jazz are rehearsing their kick-off concert. It’s three hours before showtime and while the professors strum, hum and prepare for the concert, graduate student Adam Briggs spins a roll of duct tape in his hand while watching, wide-eyed, at the ensemble. Briggs is there to record the performance.
“I’m also here to listen,” Briggs said. “These guys are all great. I’ve had classes with them and heard their other concerts. They are fantastic and there is no reason to expect any less.”
Professors from the MSU Jazz Department hold a concert every year to welcome back faculty and get students interested in jazz.
Professors of jazz Etienne Charles, Michael Dease, Perry Hughes, Diego Rivera and Reginald Thomas join Gelispie and Whitaker onstage during the performance.
A special vocalist guest, Mardra Thomas, gave a performance reminiscent of Billie Holiday. She is the wife of jazz piano professor Reginald Thomas.
The group rehearsed the show for only two hours, then performed in the Pasant Theatre.
“We hope students are eager to play” after viewing the performance, Gelispie said. “We are priming them, giving a boost. We want them to be inspired.”
Music students were bobbing their heads and tapping their feet and fingers along to the rhythm of the songs. Many watched intently as the professor’s fingers moved at an increasingly faster pace.
“It’s always a fun time here, the professors put on a great show,” jazz studies senior Travis Sinclair said. “I came to support my professors, and I’m hoping tonight’s show will really be swinging. Every time I hear a new jazz song it sparks my interest and makes me want to learn more.”
Wednesday night’s concert also was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington. Immediately after the first song, a short speech was given by Whitaker imploring audiences to appreciate the occasion and join in on the “spirit of togetherness.”
“We ask people to reflect on it. That date seemed to coincide with the celebration, and we are going to make it a party tonight,” Whitaker said. “Jazz has always been a part of the freedom movement. It’s a great way for students to celebrate the march with us.”
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