The Julliard Jazz Ensembles, Just Jazz!

Last night was the finale to the fantastic Jazz Ensemble Fall Semester.  It was a great sign off for the year 2012.  The program's title was Just Jazz and it was just fantastic. Two separate ensembles performed classic jazz standards with arrangement's by the band's members.  Frank Kimbrough's Ensemble was a trio consisting of a bass player, drummer & jazz pianist phenomenon, 16 year old Beka Gochiashvili; a name to remember.  Gochiashvili did the arrangements for Coltrane's Giant Steps & Dizzy Gillespie's Groovin' High.  Matthew Jordrell's Ensemble performed the 2nd half of the program.  Jordrell's musical group consisted of a pianist, drummer, bass player & 3 spirited winds: tenor sax, trumpet & trombone.  The cool jazz classics were arranged by 5 different band members.  I particularily enjoyed the way Wayne Shorter's Lost segued way into Sonny Rollins' St. Thomas.  The Julliard Jazz Department has grown and matured under the steady guidance of Artistic Director, Carl Allen.  I'm not sure who was enjoyed the evening more, the audience or the young, talented artists performing on stage.  Tickets for the Jazz concerts are free but they are the hot ticket to get.  Be forewarned, people start to queue for tickets at the Julliard box office which opens @ 11AM by 9:30AM, lest you miss out.