Staff Writer- Cora Hess

As students are settled in after Spring Break, the Jazz Ensembles have been preparing for their upcoming winter showcase at 1:30 p.m. on March 21st in Björling Recital Hall. This is the second of three showcases they have throughout the academic year. Notably, it is a shared stage between the two large jazz ensembles: The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble and The Jazz Lab Collective. 

Director of the Gustavus Jazz Ensemble, Assistant Provost of Faculty Development and Support, and Associate Professor of Music, Dave Stamps, is looking forward to performing their prepared repertoire. 

“The students have worked incredibly hard on some difficult repertoire and would love to share it with you,” Stamps shared.

Not only will there be two jazz groups performing, but they will also feature a well-known violinist who will work with The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble. 

“We’ll also be featuring a special guest, Sara Caswell. Sara, a GRAMMY-nominated violinist, will be flying in from NYC to work with the ensemble,” Stamps exclaims. 

Member of The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble, Senior Chloe Lee, who plays the Alto and Soprano saxophones, is excited to have the opportunity to work with Sara Caswell. 

“You definitely don’t see violins in the jazz world very often so I am excited to add her unique new sound to our jazz ensemble,” Lee shared. 

The music that will be played by The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble will not just be played at this showcase. Stamps shared that they will be performing pieces from their upcoming recording project as well. Jazz is a big part of history, and the jazz ensembles are excited to share their part of history with everyone. 

“Jazz is an American art form whose history, both troubled and celebrated, mirrors the human experience over the last 100+ years,” Stamps shared. 

Member of the Gustavus Jazz Ensemble, Junior Dylan Halom, is excited to share the stage with Sara Caswell as well as one specific piece they are performing. He plays mainly the tenor saxophone but also plays the baritone saxophone and flute during this showcase. 

“I am also really excited for one of our vocal charts that we are doing called ‘Orange Colored Sky,’” Halom shared. 

Once they finish this showcase, The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble will hit the road for their performance in Minneapolis the next day. They will be playing at Crooners Supper Club, which has become an annual tradition for the jazz ensemble and the highlight of Lee’s year. 

“I love getting to play at Crooners because we get to expand our audience, and it’s so fun to perform in the classy, movie-like jazz lounge venue. The more intimate setting has given me opportunities to interact more genuinely with the audience and even meet some Gustie alums who I would never have been connected to otherwise,” Lee shared. 

Though the showcase will be an amazing experience, Halom also agrees that playing at Crooners is a highlight of being in the jazz ensemble, as it gives them another chance to share their music.

“The most exciting part of the weekend though, will be going to Crooners on Sunday, where we are playing a more extensive set in a jazz club,” Halom exclaimed.

One of the pianists in The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble, Junior Drew Lyford, is looking forward to sharing the music they worked hard on with members of the audience. 

“We have put so much time and so many rehearsals into these pieces! We can’t wait to play them for an audience,” Lyford exclaimed. 

Visiting Assistant Professor in Music and Director of the Jazz Lab Collective, JC Sanford, is excited to share this performance with the audience. 

Halom shared that it is always super fun to hear what the Jazz Lab Collective has prepared for this showcase. He is also excited for this showcase as it is one of the most impressive ones he has been a part of. 

“This is the best version of G-Jazz that I have seen in my three years here, and it is going to be amazing,” Halom shared. 

If you cannot make it to the concert in person, don’t worry, because you can find the live stream on the Gustavus Fine Arts YouTube channel. 

“Your in-person attendance would be much appreciated! Both ensembles perform a mix of classic jazz repertoire and newly written works,” Stamps explained. 

This showcase will be an amazing experience and a celebration of the hard work that all students and faculty have put into this show.

“For those coming to our showcase this weekend, get ready for a fun show! We have a lot of familiar classics and contemporary charts which will make for a unique set,” Lee exclaimed.