With endowments trickling in, a
recent appearance at the Midwest Clinic
in Chicago and the largest enrollment
ever, VCU Jazz is on the up-and-up. Add
to the growing list “A Joyful Noise,” the
program’s first all-live-recorded album,
and you couldn’t ask for much more.
There is much to be said about
the caliber of VCU Jazz’s previous
recordings, which include “Things to
Come” (1983), “Mood Indigo” (1992)
and “It Could Happen to You” (2002).
Although some around the department
hold the view that the students of
yesteryear had a unique, savage lust
for their music, there is no denying the
prowess displayed by this new school
of future pros.
In addition, director of jazz studies and
album executive producer Antonio J. García
points out a remarkable trait of “A Joyful
Noise” no other VCU Jazz CD can.
“No intercuts, remixes, or overdubs
were made within any selection . this
is who we are and how we perform,”
states García’s liner notes.
Being the first jazz orchestra from
Virginia to perform at the Midwest
Clinic in Chicago, Jazz Orchestra I
was dealing with heaps of hype and
preparation leading to the event, and
that preparation is evident in the
performance quality.
According to Andrew Horton,
trombone J.O. I, the band was pleased to
learn their entire set soon would become
the flagship album of VCU Jazz.
“We knew a few selections would be
put on a CD for our listening pleasure.
I was shocked when (García) told us
he’d use the whole set,” Horton said.
It was surprising to pop in the album
and hear how nice J.O. I’s blend was
for a live recording. Inner harmonies
are discernible, lead lines are not overly
prevalent and the bass and drums are
not muddled by the size of the Grand
Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton.
Eight of the 10 tracks feature student
performances while three of those
include special guests – trumpet faculty
Rex Richardson, saxophone alumnus
Steve Wilson and trombone guest-artist
Wycliffe Gordon, faculty member at
the jazz-studies program at the Julliard
School – performing with J.O. I.
The guest artists add their own
charisma and driving force to each song,
no doubt a tremendous morale booster
for the students in a live setting.
Gordon slays on the blues standard
“Green Onions,” where he displays
his phenomenal range and harmonic
control. His didgeridoo technique on
the trombone is jaw-dropping.
Steve Wilson – who has recorded
with all the heavies from Chick Korea
and Billy Childs to Mulgrew Miller and
Dave Holland – solos over trumpet
faculty member and alumnus Taylor
Barnett’s arrangement of Woody Shaw’s
“Beyond All Limits.” Wilson’s agility
over the chord changes and Barnett’s
wonderful arrangement itself show the
kind of intimidating aural coloration
that has drawn critical acclaim of the
VCU Jazz program for decades.
In addition to the student jazz
orchestra, the album features a student
combo, as well as two songs from the
Faculty Jazz Septet.
Richardson’s virtuosity is featured both
in “Beyond All Limits” and in the two
faculty songs-Freddie Hubbard’s “The
Core,” arranged by saxophone faculty
member Skip Gailes, and Rahsaan Roland
Kirk’s “Bright Moments,” arranged by
piano faculty member Bob Hallahan.
The grooves are of a different
breed of sophistication yet take on a
reassuring quality when one realizes
on to whom their expertise is getting
passed. The students at VCU Jazz are
in good hands.
Because “A Joyful Noise” has just
arrived, stock is still being processed
to Plan 9 Records and CDBaby.com.
Unfortunately, the VCU Bookstore
has declined to stock the CD until at
least this fall. For more information
about how to obtain a copy, e-mail
Antonio J. García at ajgarcia@vcu.
edu. All proceeds go to the VCU Jazz
Students Fund.
Grade: A