The Observer, April 13, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 24
Cleveland Jazz Orchestra combines old and new techniques at the Bop Stop
To many, the words "Cleveland" and "musical hotbed" don't seem to go well together, yet on Thursday, April 5 at the Bop Stop, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra proved that astounding music can come from the most unlikely of places. Consisting of two sets of songs all composed by Paul Ferguson, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra covered everything from classic jazz pieces to arrangements of spiritual songs and hymns. Ferguson, the head of Jazz Studies at Case, is also a member of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and a leading jazz composer and arranger whose resume does not exceed his skill, as evidenced by Thursday's concert.
One of the best aspects of this concert was the Bop Stop itself; the room, consisting of small tables arranged around a central stage, allowed all audience members to see and hear comfortably. Being able to enjoy a glass of wine and some great music in an intimate, candlelit room was extremely enjoyable, although some seats seemed a bit too close to the performers for comfort. Aside from the venue itself, the variety of music performed by the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra was a welcome surprise. Though I do have a newfound appreciation for jazz music, I really liked the foray into jazzed-up spiritual music Ferguson made in the second set.
The first set of the evening, though more along the lines of "traditional" jazz, still covered a wide variety of styles and songs, from cool jazz to Ferguson's take on the upbeat "Brazil." The more memorable songs of the first set included a tribally-inspired and rhythmically complex version of "African Sky" (complete with string piano) and "Somebody Loves Me." However, it wasn't the old standbys that made the concert special: it was the second half of the program, made up of Ferguson's arrangements of spirituals and hymns for jazz orchestra. One of my favorite songs of the evening, "If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee," based on a Bach chorale, took the original melody and transformed it seemingly effortlessly into a contemporary jazz piece that when the final statement of the original motive was made, was extremely natural and moving. I also liked Ferguson's use of non-traditional jazz techniques in his music, such as string piano; the use of these more modern, classical techniques, crossed the boundaries of jazz music into true "intellectual" art.
The musicians who make up the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra are truly talented, and clearly enjoy their work. I really appreciated their attempts to incorporate the next generation of musicians in their concert by hosting a student outreach night, and look forward to attending another concert in the future. More information on the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and upcoming performances can be found at www.clevelandjazz.org. Information on the Bop Stop can be found at www.clevelandbopstop.com.
