May 3, 2005
FEATURES
Jazz group dazzles Kerr with Big Band sound
Fred Forney was right.
The MCC music director predicted that the MCC Jazz Ensemble and the finely tuned, well rehearsed Arizona Jazz Orchestra would “dazzle the audience with innovative and creative, swinging big band music, the likes of (which has) never been heard in Arizona.”
“I had no idea we had such a good jazz orchestra,” said MCC student Cody Huffaker. “It was cool to hear (Lovelady) on the sax and flute. I really liked it.”
Hugh Lovelady is Huffaker’s humanities instructor.
Another student Tyler Pedersen said that it was great seeing Fred Forney solo on the trumpet.
Forney is Pedersen’s humanities instructor.
Both Lovelady and Forney are musicians with the newly formed Arizona Jazz Orchestra.
The orchestra was introduced with the MCC Jazz Ensemble at a concert, April 19, at the Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale.
The 18-member MCC Jazz Ensemble began the evening with Forney in front, leading the group by snapping his fingers in rhythm and saying, “a one, a two, a one, two, three, four.”
Once started, he would leave the group and stand at the side with his head nodding to the beat until it was time to close the song by bringing his hand up high and signaling an end to the song.
The group entertained the audience with songs that featured soloists on the trumpet and saxophone.
Lead trumpet player Danny Doyle described playing in the ensemble as being “out of this world,” and “the best band I’ve ever played in.”
Tony Ross, a former Jazz club owner in Chicago, “loved the big band sound,” and complemented the group as being “up and coming stars.”
“Both bands are fantastic and the talent in this city is amazing,” he said.
The Arizona Jazz Orchestra played the second set with the music of Emmy nominated composer and arranger, Bob Freedman.
Freedman, former department chair of Berklee College of Music has produced music for artists such Wyton Marsalis, Maynard Ferguson and Count Basie.
He entertained the audience with stories about the pieces and kept the mood light and casual as he joked with members of the orchestra.
At one point in the evening, Freedman humorously dedicated a number, titled “Hughies Haven” to Lovelady and said that the group knew how to “swing badly.”
The big band sound of the orchestra filled the vaulted ceiling at the Kerr, yet the groups were up close and personal.
Hansel Cedillos, Trumpet player for MCC said that he,“likes the intimate setting” of the Kerr and playing for an appreciative crowd.
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