Prime time big bands let loose

If you like jazz, you’re probably predisposed to enjoying big band music. Not just 1930s swing, but a wide range of hybrid styles that blend Latin, funk, jazz and rock.

In some quarters, the big band is unfortunately labelled as a “has been.” But big bands are alive and kicking it up a notch. In fact, some of the best musical minds and musicians over the past 35 years have come from the big band world.

As part of the Student Performance Series, two MacEwan University Big Bands are performing their final concert of the season this coming Monday at the John L. Haar Theatre.

For the graduating musicians, it’s the chance to show off highly polished chops. And for the public, it’s an opportunity to track how emerging musicians will affect the future of big bands.

Under the direction of Ray Baril and Jerrold Dubyk, two 14-piece ensembles feature students from all four years of the music program. As in previous years, the timeless tunes selected from the American songbook span about 80 years with tunes from Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie to Steely Dan and Radiohead.

“Both ensembles make the students aware of the big band world from 1910 Dixieland to jive, swing and dance oriented music to the jazz concerts of the 1950s and later and how it fit together. We try to make students aware of how history is important and to make sure they set trends going forward,” said Ray Baril, section head of winds and brass.

Baril conducts Band 1 with a set of tunes tinged with individuality. The experimental Knee High Ballerina, Florian Ross’ improvised Cycling and Steely Dan’s unlikely jazz-rock piece Black Friday are just a few.

“In many ways their music lends itself to the big band world. It just cuts loose.”

When it came to selecting repertoire for Band 2, Jerrold Dubyk’s first choice was the Ellington ballad I Like the Sunrise.

“I love Basie and Ellington. For me they are the foundation of great jazz ensembles. I feel responsible to acknowledge them and make sure students can appreciate them.”

But the more contemporary minded Dubyk has also programmed impeccable arrangements of Radiohead’s ’90s grunge Soundgarden and Dizzy Gillespie’s newer work Con Alma, a bebop arrangement layered with Afro-Cuban rhythms in a modern twist.

Two years ago, MacEwan University extended the two-year music diploma program into a four-year music degree. This is the first four-year graduating class.

“They’re stronger and better prepared to deal with what you get outside the degree program. They have more experiences and they’ll have fewer post secondary surprises once outside the program,” Baril said after noting that this class is the most accomplished the university has produced.

Baril asks music fans to support these energetic young musicians.

“If we don’t support youth, they may start to think music is not valuable. And you won’t find any post-secondary musicians that are better than this. We value science and technology. But in life there is more. We show there is a balance with students making music at the highest level in our social environment.”