Julliard Jazz Ensemble-Music of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock & Joe Henderson

Julliard's Jazz Artist Diploma Ensemble performed a program by legendary jazz composers:  Corea, Hancock, Shorter & Henderson.  The ensemble of talented young artists featured David Meder on piano and Samuel Dillon on tenor sax of whom I to call out for their incredible playing & arranging.  The Julliard Jazz student's focus, according to chair & assoc. dir., Aaron Flagg, is being placed on arranging.  The students receive expert musical training, and performance skills & coaching in arranging compositions.  The students develop their abilities to adjust arrangements for their instrumental ensembles and create a variation that is unique in its interpretation.  The versatile & impressive arranging by both students, Dillon & Meder was astounding.  The arrangements were streamlined to adjust to a 6 member ensemble that included players on the trumpet, trombone, drums and bass.  The jazz reflected the cool & turbulent 60's.  Joe Henderson's "Black Narcissus" and Herbie Hancock's "Speak Like a Child" were 2 of the standout numbers from the evening.  As individual students talked about the pieces we were about to hear, they told of how they listened to different recordings and what they attempted to emulate in their renditions.  The 1st program for the Julliard Jazz season was a joyous celebration of great jazz and an affirmation of the thriving art form.