As I walked into the dimly lit Wein Experimental Theatre last Thursday, it was as if I had entered a jazz club in the city on the Upper East Side. Although I would have liked to have a cosmo waiting for me, I was extremely pleased with what the Fairfield jazz ensemble had to offer.
This year’s fall jazz ensemble, led by Brian Torff , played a variety of jazz music. Torff is a Fairfield music professor and the director of jazz ensemble. The night was also graced by the presence of guest artist Howard Johnson .
Johnson, who has worked with John Lennon and Miles Davis, was the former band leader of “Saturday Night Live.” He played with the jazz ensemble at the performance.
“I have guests every semester. They are colleagues of mine in the professional music world,” said Torff.
The jazz ensemble’s song list included those composed by Torff all the way to Duke Ellington.
Music major Brian St. Denis ’08 arranged one track, and co-wrote another with a freshman member, Matt Pecoraro.
“Brian doesn’t ask us specifically to compose or arrange, but he strongly encourages it, and I think it makes for a more interesting show,” said St. Denis.
Torff expressed his content with the performance.
“The students played extremely well and interacted with the guest artist, which makes for a successful show,” he said.
Torff formed the jazz ensemble in 1991 and still runs it today.
He has been bringing great jazz artists from all over the country to play with the ensemble since 1992. Guest artists have included Florence Melnotte , a piano player with whom Torff has performed sets and recorded albums; Dave Samuels , a famous vibraphone player; and guitarist David Spinozza , who is one of only two musicians to play on three of The Beatles’ solo projects.
Torff will be in Paris next semester facilitating an independent project, leaving many seniors in the band, including St. Denis, upset.
“I wish he could have been around while I do my independent project,” he said.
While Torff is in Paris, the group will be led by adjunct music professor John Fumasoli.
If you are interested in the jazz ensemble, St. Denis said its members are always looking for new players. The group plays, on average, one show a semester, but some students, including St. Denis, are trying to bring jazz to more mainstream campus.
“I recently organized a jazz show at The Levee, and next year I will be auditioning for a group for my independent music project,” he said.
Torff said he hopes that in the future, the band will continue to work together to create great music and promote the American art form of jazz.
“Our students work hard and deserve the support of their friends at the concerts. I would like to see more of this,” Torff said.
Most students involved in the group are studying music, but the group is not limited to music majors or minors.
“It’s good experience for everyone, and it’s really fun. Everyone respects each other and sometimes it’s like we’re just playing to have a good time,” St. Denis said.
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