Big band breaks loose on the town

Roberto Curtis

Executive Editor

In a town that teems with talented players, music major Lucas Fritz has been in his share of bands ranging from soul to pop to afrobeat. But being able to take what is learned in the VCU jazz orchestras and create a living, breathing ensemble ready to run rampant on the town is something few have the time or energy for.

For Fritz and fellow music major Ben Hemstra, it’s that real world experience that fueled their desire to create the Richmond Jazz Collective, the 17-piece big band that premiered Monday night at the Camel. Comprised of current and former jazz studies majors, the behemoth of a band seeks to become a vehicle for the classic standards of the American songbook as well as modern arrangements and compositions by VCU’s up-and-coming composers.

But keeping the beast up and running is no simple task.

“It’s a logistical nightmare getting everyone together,” Fritz said.

In addition the RJC, the group’s musicians are musical mercenaries—devotees to their craft that are in high demand in various other projects.

“It’s amazing we were all able to find a night and space where we can all rehearse,” Fritz said.

Whether or not the band stands the test of time remains to be seen. Director of Jazz Studies Antonio Garcia said the life of the big band is often a short one.

“Big bands are tough animals to keep going—15-20 people, 15-20 schedules, personalities, that whole thing. With that in mind, it’s kind of hard for a band like that to have a long run,” Garcia said.

After four months of rehearsing and ironing out repertoire kinks, the group put together an evening of tunes by Sammy Nestico, Duke Ellington, Thad Jones and Bjork (along with some original compositions) to bring a swinging and sultry mood to a receptive and enthusiastic crowd at the Camel on West Broad Street.

Trombonist Alex Powers said the eclectic collection was a fresh change from the classroom setting.

“It’s fun, taking what you learn from that and putting it into context and actually getting your own gig, your own venue and doing it,” Powers said. “The repertoire in this band is growing. I like the variations … it’s all stuff we’re used to.”

Preceding the RJC was another of Fritz’ projects, a VCU octet directed by Jazz Studies founder Doug Richards that focused on the music of Gil Evans, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington. With flamboyant hand gestures and intimate communication with his performers, Richards conducted the ensemble masterfully, showing the utmost respect for the music.

And while the evening featured mostly songs from 50 or more years ago, the modern pieces added an accessibility that made the music enjoyable the entire evening through. Fritz said his mission was to reach out to those who are a bit tentative about getting into jazz.

“There’s a lot of music that people call jazz, that is really accessible and would be pleasing to the average listener, but people don’t want to go hear it because it’s under the umbrella of jazz, which has maybe or maybe not a negative connotation to some people,” Fritz said.

Garcia said at the very least, Richmond provides the perfect places to find that new audience and reach out to them through their hard-earned abilities.

“One of the things that makes VCU Jazz unique is that we’re surrounded by Richmond, which is such an arts-friendly town. We’re surrounded by opportunities for the students to play outside of the school,” Garcia said. “They come back with street savvy that they can’t get if they go to school where the only place they can really play is inside the four walls of the university.”