The PSU Jazz Band and Combos delivered a tight and enjoyable set in the Hannaway Theatre on Tuesday, April 17. Attendance was good as students and community members were treated to an evening of diverse jazz and funk music.
Under the direction of Scott Grant, the program featured standards from Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, as well as arrangements of “The Fool on the Hill” and “Blackbird” by The Beatles. Soloists during the evening included Mark Hecox on alto saxophone, Will Diener on trumpet, and Kevin Smith on drums.
The performance also featured the PSU Jazz Combos, smaller performing groups and alternate instrumentations, made up of members of the Jazz Band. Two smaller groups played numbers from Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter and Johnny Mercer, transforming the expansive theatre into an intimate Jazz Club. The evening’s final musical selection – the fun, fast and funky “An Inside Joke” was reminiscent of theme songs from 70’s cop shows, and got the audience heads bobbing right along to the beat.
Director Scott Grant, who has taught music at PSU for the last five years, will be leaving at the semester’s end. During the performance, he was full of energy, and his banter and sense of humor kept the atmosphere light. As he directed the band through each song, he repeatedly expressed his deep gratitude towards his students, thanking them for his time teaching and his experiences here.
The group was visibly moved by his display of thanks. As a parting gift, Grant was presented with a framed photograph of the ensemble under his direction, signed by all its members. As the evening wrapped up, Grant said to concert attendees, “You, the audience, are the ones that keep live music alive. Keep supporting local music and these groups as they continue on next year.”