2008 Woodie Awards
Faculty jazz concert brings 'saxy' back
By: Jennifer Ginger
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: LifeStyle
- Page 1 of 1
"We're all musical friends and friends," said Mike Karpowicz. Karpowicz, along with four other music department faculty members, performed at a faculty jazz concert March 19 in the Winifred Moore Auditorium. "A Night In E Flat: The Music of Alto Saxophonists" was attended by more than 50 people.
The faculty group included Karpowicz on the alto saxophone, Kim Portnoy on the piano, Dave Black on the guitar, Ric Vice on the bass and Kevin Gianino on the drums. All the band members are adjunct music department faculty except Portnoy, who is a full-time music department faculty member.
The performance featured eight songs composed by alto saxophonists. Three of the songs performed were composed by Karpowicz. "Cancao de Madrugada," Portuguese for "Late Night Song," was the first of Karpowicz's pieces, later followed by "Soaring" and "The Wall."
Karpowicz wrote "Cancao de Madrugada" a year and a half ago, but wrote "Soaring" and "The Wall" specifically for the March 19 performance.
"Soaring" began with a saxophone solo. After about 30 seconds, the other musicians accompanied the saxophone, not only adding to the sounds but to the volume the instruments were able to convey before returning to a mellow tune. As the piece progressed, the saxophone was eliminated from the tune. The guitar exerted its authority in a solo, which was followed by a piano solo before the piano rejoined with the saxophone.
The group also performed the works of several saxophonists and composers, including "Jackie and the Beanstalk" by Kenny Garrett, "Red Cross" by Charlie Parker and Phil Woods' "Goodbye Mr. Evans" and "Petite Chanson."
The title of the event, "A Night In E Flat," refers to the alto saxophone, which is pitched in E flat. The alto saxophone has the second highest pitch of the saxophone family.
Paul DeMarinis, an associate music professor, asked Karpowicz to perform. Karpowicz put the group of faculty members together for the concert, which was the group's first performance.
Adjunct music professor Dave Black played the guitar and the jazz guitar. Though the instruments have different names, Black said there is no difference in the sound.
"Style doesn't dictate the structure of the instrument; it's the way you play it," Black said.
Freshman Taylor Dukeman, a film major, sells tickets for the music department box office. Dukeman usually works the Jazz Series, which is held on Monday evenings as a part of performances offered by the music department. Dukeman said the audience is mainly senior citizens.
"Not too many (students) come to the music shows," Dukeman said.
Music department professor Robert Chamberlin said the Jazz Series is open to the public and many senior citizens attend because of the close proximity of retirement facilities near campus.
"Transportation is not a real issue for them," Chamberlin said.
The faculty group included Karpowicz on the alto saxophone, Kim Portnoy on the piano, Dave Black on the guitar, Ric Vice on the bass and Kevin Gianino on the drums. All the band members are adjunct music department faculty except Portnoy, who is a full-time music department faculty member.
The performance featured eight songs composed by alto saxophonists. Three of the songs performed were composed by Karpowicz. "Cancao de Madrugada," Portuguese for "Late Night Song," was the first of Karpowicz's pieces, later followed by "Soaring" and "The Wall."
Karpowicz wrote "Cancao de Madrugada" a year and a half ago, but wrote "Soaring" and "The Wall" specifically for the March 19 performance.
"Soaring" began with a saxophone solo. After about 30 seconds, the other musicians accompanied the saxophone, not only adding to the sounds but to the volume the instruments were able to convey before returning to a mellow tune. As the piece progressed, the saxophone was eliminated from the tune. The guitar exerted its authority in a solo, which was followed by a piano solo before the piano rejoined with the saxophone.
The group also performed the works of several saxophonists and composers, including "Jackie and the Beanstalk" by Kenny Garrett, "Red Cross" by Charlie Parker and Phil Woods' "Goodbye Mr. Evans" and "Petite Chanson."
The title of the event, "A Night In E Flat," refers to the alto saxophone, which is pitched in E flat. The alto saxophone has the second highest pitch of the saxophone family.
Paul DeMarinis, an associate music professor, asked Karpowicz to perform. Karpowicz put the group of faculty members together for the concert, which was the group's first performance.
Adjunct music professor Dave Black played the guitar and the jazz guitar. Though the instruments have different names, Black said there is no difference in the sound.
"Style doesn't dictate the structure of the instrument; it's the way you play it," Black said.
Freshman Taylor Dukeman, a film major, sells tickets for the music department box office. Dukeman usually works the Jazz Series, which is held on Monday evenings as a part of performances offered by the music department. Dukeman said the audience is mainly senior citizens.
"Not too many (students) come to the music shows," Dukeman said.
Music department professor Robert Chamberlin said the Jazz Series is open to the public and many senior citizens attend because of the close proximity of retirement facilities near campus.
"Transportation is not a real issue for them," Chamberlin said.
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