UMass Amherst: The Magazine for Alumni and Friends


The Stories

All That Jazz

All That Jazz
Hitting the high notes of the campus's storied music program.

Jazz in July

Jazz in July All-Stars 2007
The annual UMass Amherst summer classic in photos.

One Final Note

One Final Note
Max Roach revolutionized the drum kit, created a new rhythmic language for music, and developed an emotive style of playing.

 

The Music

Improvised Duo [download mp3]
Written by Pope/Mele
David Pope: tenor and soprano sax
Jonathan Mele: drums and percussion

"This improvised duo was recorded during one of Jonathan Mele's residencies at James Madison University. It begins with one of my original multiphonic themes on tenor saxophone, moving through various rhythmic inventions. In the second half, Jon picks up a tambourine and I switch to soprano. Jon and I have always shared a strong affinity for duo playing, and these kind of spontaneous moments are frequently a part of our performances. This particular performance was at Calhoun's Brewing Co., Harrisonburg, VA."


None Taken [download mp3]
Written by Jonathan Mele
Chris Merz: saxophone
David Dunn: bass
Jonathan Mele: drums
Brent Sandy: trumpet

Recorded by the improvisational collective, Equilateral

"Chris Merz, David Dunn and I met in the fall of 1988 when I was a freshman in the music department at UMass Amherst. Chris asked me to be a part of his group, "Full Contact," which included David on bass, graduate student Doug Boyd on keys, and freshman Doug Olsen on trumpet. We entered and won a few competitions for collegiate jazz groups that year including one sponsored by local jazz club "Dave's Other Place" and MusicFest Philadelphia. The group played together until the members went their separate ways after college. "

Reuniting after a long break as Equilateral, the group toured the mid-west in the late 1990's and recorded an album in 2001, "...Also not pictured (xTet records)." For more information, please visit: www.xtet.net

 

All Smiles [download mp3]
Written by Chris Merz

Written for Jeffrey Holmes’ 25th Anniversary Celebration concert in December 2005, and performed by the University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band, directed by Merz .


Sproing [download mp3]
Written by Chris Merz
Chris Merz: tenor saxophone
Bob Washut: piano

Appears on Chris Merz and Bob Washut’s Gemini, Northern Iowa Recordings, 2006.

Currently, Chris Merz is the director of jazz studies at the University of Northern Iowa, Brent is an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa, and Dave is living in the greater Chicago area.


It Might As Well Be Spring [download mp3]
Written by Rogers, Hammerstein
Kate McGarry: vocals
Keith Ganz: guitars
Gary Versace: piano
Reuben Rogers: bass
Greg Hutchinson: drums

Appears on Kate McGarry’s The Target, Palmetto Records, 2007.


Bird Alone [download mp3]
Written by Abbey Lincoln
Sheila Jordan: vocals
Steve Kahn: piano
David Finck: bass
Billy Drummond: drums


Espirit [download mp3]
Written by Jeffrey Holmes
John Piazza Jr: flugelhorn
David Pope: tenor saxophone
Patrick Hughes: tenor saxophone
Tony Beaudry: alto saxophone

UMass Amherst

© University of Massachusetts Amherst. Site Policies.

This site is maintained by University Advancement Communications.