The annual Jazz Ensemble concert, put on by the by Music Department and directed by Assistant Music Director Wes Parker, took place in Talley Student Center Feb. 11.

Before the concert even began, Mike Davidoff, a graduate student in math and a trombone player, said he was very excited to be in the band.

“I just joined the band this semester,” he said. “There are a lot of talented players in the band and it’s a very laid back atmosphere.”

Aaron Winesett, a junior in mechanical engineering and a trombone player, said, “I’m excited and I really enjoy being in the jazz band.” 

Winesett has been in the jazz band for about two years and has considered it to be a great experience. 

Gene Schroeder, the father of Caroline Schroeder, a senior in biological sciences, said, “I love jazz and I’m a proud parent of one of the trumpet players.” 

When asked about what he thought about the ensemble, he said, “It’s the best jazz around.”

Winesett’s parents, both alumni, came to watch him play in the ensemble. “We live in Hickory and it’s a real treat to hear him play.”  

Erin Winsch, a freshman in psychology, said, “I’m here because I enjoy music and because I’m in the Scholar’s Program.” 

Students in the Scholar’s Program were given access to free tickets to the event. 

Saxophones were in the first row, trombones in the middle and trumpeters were in the back.

Parker said, “We’ve got a great show for you tonight.”  After the opening, the ensemble began with “Shiny Stockings.” 

According to Parker, the ensemble usually doesn’t do ballads and prefers to use fast music.

He also said it tries to use modern and progressive music. The ensemble, however, did slow pieces such as “Come Sunday” and older pieces such as “Deed I Do.” 

“It’s valuable to do some older music,” Parker said.

The next piece, according to Parker, would be special, as they brought out the guest vocalist, Jessica Schwartz, a senior in communications and public relations. Schwartz sang “Smack Dab in the Middle.” 

After hearing her sing the audience not only clapped, but also shouted in support. Parker said he loved that song. 

For the song “Night Flight”  Parker said, “The trumpeters did a lot of the heavy lifting.”  Parker included some history between the pieces and talked about how “Cottontail” was based off of “I Got Rhythm.” 

Schwartz came back to sing “Deal’s Blues” and was thanked by Parker once more.  After the performance was finished, Jeremy Schwartz, an alumnus, said, “I enjoyed it, my sister was the guest singer.”  

Steven Lee, a junior in business and finance, said the ensemble had made him appreciate jazz.

Jessica Schwarts said, “I’m really grateful that they invited me to sing with them; it was a lot of fun and they sounded great.”  

Richard Chapman, a freshman in aerospace engineering and lead trumpeter, said, “I’ve been playing for a really long time and I have had really great instructors so this isn’t terribly hard, but the practice leading up to it certainly has been.”

Chapman was recognized by Parker for his performance during “Night Flight.” “We do this because we love it,” Chapman said.