Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: News

Saginaw freshman Morgan McMillon, left, and Shepherd senior Nick Anderson take a moment backstage during intermission of the Jazz Weekend 2008 Concert Finale to practice fingerwork on their saxophones. [Click to enlarge]

World-renowned jazz musicians joined CMU's Jazz Lab 1 Friday night for the 35th annual Jazz Weekend finale.

In front of a nearly full house at Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and pianist Bill Carrothers performed alongside the group that Director of Music Events John Jacobson calls the top student band at CMU.

"It's a beautiful thing," Jacobson said. "They say things through their music that are worth listening to."

The 18 members of Jazz Lab 1 added a big band element to many songs by the featured artists.

Considered a prodigy since childhood, Grammy Award nominee Carrington has jammed, toured and recorded around the world with legendary jazz artists, including Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock and Dizzy Gillespie.

Carrothers has extensive global experience, having played at venues throughout the U.S. and Europe with some of the most celebrated names in jazz. He has won a number of prestigious awards, including the 2004 Grand Prix de l'academie Charles Cros.

"The whole band was honored to play with Bill and Terri Lyne," said Saginaw freshman Morgan McMillon, who plays alto saxophone in Jazz Lab 1. "It was a great experience and everyone was really excited with (Friday's) turnout."

McMillon, who received thunderous applause for his solos and autograph requests after the show, said Carrington's sharp ability to swing helps the band play better and that Carrothers' compensating skills benefited the group.

Fellow alto saxophone player and Holland junior Jason Townsend also was pleased with the concert.

"Everything grooved," Townsend said. "We really had to concentrate because we were in awe of the talent of Terri Lynn and Bill."

Townsend said this was a once in a lifetime performance and was "in the pocket."

Performers played songs such as Dizzy Gillespie's "Things To Come," David Lehman's "Loft Dance," and Sonny Rollins "Airegin."

There also were renditions of a number of Carrington's original compositions performed with Jazz Lab 1 and a duet with Carrington and Carrothers.

CMU jazz faculty members also got the chance to play exclusively with the featured artists.



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