Discover Walla Walla

We keep with the theme of music tonight as we take in the Spring Jazz concert for about a dozen Whitman College students. Their instructor is world class trombonist, Dave Glenn, who prior to teaching, blew his horn in the Gerry Mulligan Band and toured with the likes of Dianna Ross. He’s a player, not just an academic. And tonight we’re back at my favorite recital hall, Chism, with its scratched honey wood floor and stark 70’s architecture – no more than 100 seats in the house.

The group starts out with a solid version of Miles Davis’ “Freddie Freeloader.” Each of the musicians plays a brief solo, all of them charted, except for pianist Ethan Maier. As the evening progresses, it becomes apparent that Maier and guitarist, Bo Sagal, are true jazz dogs. They’re really digging their solos that appear improvised, or at least, memorized, which distinguishes them from the other players. All the musicians tonight exude an affinity for jazz but Sagal and Maier are the most accomplished players and seem to most personify the jazz feel.

Two other things stand out as the concert moves along. One is the fact that all the tunes are strictly classic jazz pieces. Not a whiff of Fusion or Smooth Jazz is in the air. Two is that Professor Glenn has instilled in his students the much overlooked aspect of great jazz – control. Although not all of the musicians tonight are precocious prodigies, none of them overplays, especially drummer, James Franz, whose sense of beat is good and he moves the band through the pieces deftly while never becoming overbearing (which is a common tendency of young drummers.) Even the closing piece, Charlie Parker’s “Ornithology” comes off clean and non-abrasive for a bee-pop tune.

The emotional peak of the night occurs when the group dedicates two pieces to late band member Richard O’Brien who tragically died in a skiing accident earlier this year. The second dedication is particularly moving because O’Brien picked the song for the concert. The group capably navigates the dreamy melody of “Elsa”, written by Earl Zindars, contributions of note by pianist Maier and saxophonists Daniel Grant (alto) and Machado Mijiga (tenor.)

Professional drummer, Gary Hobbs, sits in for the final two numbers. A buddy of Glenn’s, Hobbs played in the Stan Kenton Big Band and continues to perform and teach. About 30 people fill seats, a smattering of fellow students and local jazz hounds who give enthusiastic applause after every solo and number.

At times the musicians stand awkwardly as another player tackles their solo. The concert certainly wasn’t like hanging out at an urban club and swinging with an accomplished trio of veteran jazz dogs. But still, it was great to hear those memorable tunes again and to see college students creating the sweet sounds.