mesa legend - FEATURES - Good time music: Jazz ensemble raises funds

April 4,2006
FEATURES
Good time music
Jazz ensemble raises funds

Ami Johnson
Mesa Legend

The Third Annual Al ‘Fab’ Grey Trombone Scholarship Concert took place on March 5. World famous trombonist Wycliffe Gordon performed along side with many others for a scholarship fundraiser for MCC.
Wycliffe Gordon is an established performer, conductor, composer, arranger, educator and writer. He has won many awards and appeared on television numerous times including an appearance on the Grammy’s.
Al ‘Fab’ Grey was a world famous trombonist that was famous for his use of the plunger while he was playing. The endowed memorial scholarship was established in 2000, the year of his death.
The performance started off with a swing sextet called the Asylum Street Spankers which consisted of Gordon, Armand Boatman, Dwight Kilian and MCC Music Department faculty Fred Forney, Hugh Lovelady, and Dom Moio. The swingers started off with a great piece composed by Fred Forney called “Playin’ Hooky.”
Within the first few notes the audience started to feel great anticipation for the rest of the evening. Fred Forney began to solo on the trumpet, followed by Hugh Lovelady on the saxophone and then came Wycliffe Gordon’s turn to take the stage.
It was then that the audience gazed upon his famous musical flair. He played his solo using a plunger to manipulate the sound.
The Spankers went on to perform a few more tunes and were greeted by a rousing show of applause each time. Wycliffe, the only performer wearing a light colored suit, had a powerful stage presence. Gordon was filled with classy and witty remarks, but he also was filled with a power and a passion that radiated through his playing.
His performance was so powerful and commanding, yet clean and controlled. Most of the time during the many solos by Gordon, the entire room would hold their breath, not to mention the waiters and waitresses would stop and listen.
Up next was the Young Sounds of Arizona, which is considered an “all-star” jazz team made up of the Valley’s best high school jazz musicians.
Lastly was the MCC Jazz Ensemble. Just like the Young Sounds, MCC had the great opportunity of rehearsing and performing with Gordon. For the last few tunes Gordon brought out jazz singing great, Dennis Rowland.
“Some people came from L.A. to hear him sing and they act like they are here to see me!” Gordon exclaimed.
The suave and debonair Rowland joined with the class and energy of Gordon was a sight to see. With the whole audience snapping and bobbing their heads, the MCC Jazz Ensemble did a wonderful job of backing up the two greats. Everyone involved made playing jazz look easy.
It was all in memory of Al ‘Fab’ Grey whom the performers hold in such high esteem. Pictures were seen, stories were heard, and the MCC Jazz Ensemble had a chance to start creating their own legend just like Grey.