Music department to feature generations of jazz

Thursday evening’s Jazz Orchestra I concert will feature at least three generations of jazz musicians as the event brings world-renowned trombonist (and García’s father-in-law) Al Hermann to the stage. Also a world-class physicist, Hermann shared the spotlight with García long ago when the two resided in New Orleans.

While absorbing as much as he could from mentor and trombone virtuoso Carl Fontana, Hermann achieved a healthy resumé playing with everyone from Woody Hermann, Ella Fitzgerald, Eddie Daniels and Lionel Hampton, to name a few.

Hermann’s achievements in the physics world allowed him to retire in 2005 after numerous accolades from universities and societies, including a NASA Outstanding Achievements Award for the discovery of the Li-iodine battery used in pacemakers. He has since come out of retirement to take up the position of professor of jazz trombone at University of Colorado at Boulder.

Also taking the stage Thursday evening is VCU School Jazz Composition Competition winner, high school senior Gabriel Stillman. According to García, though Stillman is not even old enough to enjoy several of Richmond’s late-night jazz venues, his expressiveness is beyond his years.

“When you hear Gabe’s chart, you’ll hear what a mature voice he has in the ensemble and it’s great for us to highlight that and give back to the next generation on account of all the generations that have helped us improve our teaching on the university level.”

Originally from Milton, Mass., Stillman shows tremendous potential by winning the VCU High School Composition Competition even though he has only been composing for three years.

“It was something that started out as a hobby and sort of grew into this obsession of mine-sending charts into competitions,” Stillman said. “It was such a hopeless endeavor. It was so surprising when I ended up the winner.”

The competition, now in its fifth year, always provokes stark reactions from the students, who can become a little disconcerted with the work of younger students.

“Whenever we bring in our competition winners and their charts, our own students are taken a little bit by surprise that young folks are doing such fine work and that they have a high standard to rise to,” García said.

García said he also plans to feature the works of several other amateur and professional writers including the premiere of an arrangement of Cole Porter’s “Love for Sale” by freshman Jacob Sherman and the VCU premiere of “If the Shoe Fits,” a composition by jazz alumnus and U.S. Navy Commodores saxophonist/composer Robert Holmes.

In a world where dad’s job in the economic sector might be just as or less secure than a professional musician’s, García’s mantra states that the practical advice of peers and community members might not be the soundest.

“It’s just as practical a career move as any else,” García said. “Lightning may have to strike for you to make millions, but if you’re just looking to make a good solid living, there are hundreds of thousands of musicians out there who will tell you they are.”

VCU Jazz Orchestra I, featuring Al Hermann performs Thursday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is $5 or free with a valid VCU I.D.