The Journal

Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Lifestyle

Media Credit: Max Gersh Senior Hannah McDonald (front) sings to "Nature Boy" while senior Zane Ohmohundro plays piano Nov. 5 as part of the Webster University Jazz Combos in the Winifred Moore Auditorium.

A chill was in the air Nov. 5 for Webster University's Student Jazz Combos as there was no heat in the Winifred Moore Auditorium.

"Hopefully the music will heat things up," said Paul DeMarinis, director of jazz studies.

However, the lack of heat didn't affect the vibrant jazz sounds. About 75 people were in attendance to watch four combos perform
two songs each.

"[The cold] was a little bit of a downside, but the show must go on," said Tom Byrne, combo director and adjunct professor of
jazz studies.

Each student who played in the combos is taking a jazz course. Every semester, students participating in the combos are required to audition and are then placed in a specific group. All combos meet every Monday for a group session and critique. All of the groups rehearse separately once a week.

"I think everything went really well," said Byrne. "There are people with different levels of experience [in my combo], so it's pretty new. That's why they are here."

Along with Byrne, DeMarinis, Dave Black and Chris Braig directed a combo. Black is an adjunct professor in the music department as well as a teacher in the Community Music School. However, Black was not at the performance because he was teaching at the downtown campus. Braig is an adjunct professor as well.

While most of the songs were upbeat jazz tempos, there was one surprise tune. Braig's combo performed "You Don't Know What Love Is" by current rock band, The White Stripes.

"It was nice to hear something other than the typical jazz style," said Scott Hoffmeyer, a freshmen environmental science major.

Another addition to the musical styling of the students was the element of vocal performers. Out of the four combos, Braig's was the only one to not feature a vocalist.

Hannah McDonald, a senior jazz vocal major, added her voice to Black's combo. Throughout her tunes, the cowboy boot-wearing McDonald began to scat.

"If you are doing it correctly, it is all improvised," said McDonald. "You look for inspiration in
the moment."

While McDonald said she does practice for her scats, her vocals at the performance were improvised.

McDonald said that she and the other vocalists take part in the weekly rehearsals and group meetings with the combos.

While Hoffmeyer enjoyed The White Stripes' tune, audience member Marianne Laury enjoyed DeMarinis' combo.

"The last group was so awesome. I really enjoyed it," said Laury.

DeMarinis' group featured four players, and he even played the saxophone in the combo as well. The group concluded the evening with "Lithia," a Chick Corea tune from 1966.

Five more combos will be performing Nov. 12 in the Winifred Moore Auditorium at 7 p.m. The Webster University Jazz Singers will be performing Dec. 3 in the Winifred Moore Auditorium at 7 p.m.

For more information, call the fine arts events hotline at 968-7128.

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