Jazz ensemble concert previews spring break ministry tour to Ecuador
By Chelsea Molin, ContributorThe Taylor Jazz Ensemble has recently picked up a bit of a Latin flavor.
At 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 15, the 20-member band will present "Concert of Sacred Jazz" in the Butz-Carruth Recital Hall.
The musical selections include a variety of classical and cultural pieces, all of which the ensemble will also play this spring in Cuenca, Ecuador, as part of their spring break ministry tour.
Professor of Music Al Harrison, who has directed the Jazz Ensemble since 1978, said the inspiration for the some of the songs came from the country they will be visiting.
"We wanted to try to do the program with about half of the program with more . . . Latin-inspired music," Harrison said. "I tried to pick a variety of styles . . . some sacred . . . some dance music, Latin music and then a few featured selections, too."
Tentative songs for the Nov. 15 concert include Joshua, Amazing Grace, Blue Bossa, Agua De Beber, Mambo from West Side Story, and God Bless the Child.
Most of the pieces the group has been working on fall into the classical or sacred category. But next semester, they plan on learning some more culturally relevant music, according to Harrison.
"We'll have twenty five (pieces) ready by the time we're ready to go on tour, so we'll be able to vary up our programs (in Ecuador) for every occasion, depending on what people want to hear," he said.
Although the Jazz Ensemble has traveled before, this will be their first time visiting Ecuador.
"I'm really excited," said sophomore piano player Jenny Neidich. "I've never been to that part of the world."
Sophomore trumpet player Joe Kasper says the group is going to be working with the Verbo Church, playing concerts and ministering through music.
Although not all of the venues are finalized yet, Neidich said the ensemble will play for a variety of audiences.
"I know we're going to be playing in some public places," she said. "Schools, churches, universities . . . . (it's) really exciting."
The ensemble has its own praise band which will also be playing in Cuenca.
Harrison said the worship team grew out of the ensemble's tour this fall, when they traveled to Rockford and Quincy in Illinois.
"One of the churches wanted us to help lead their morning worship," he said. "And so these students got together and said, 'Oh, you know what? We can form our own praise team,' and they did, and it was great."
Neidich is among the six members of the praise band.
"It's a separate thing we weren't expecting to do," she said. "We sort of just formed a worship team, and loved doing it."
She said they will help lead some worship services in the Ecuadorian churches they visit, with ensemble members Jeff Janiszewski and Emily Brokaw singing in Spanish.
