Julliard Jazz Ensembles Play The Music of Ornette Coleman and Horace Silver

Last night's Julliard School's Jazz Ensembles A performed music by Ornette Coleman and Ensemble E performed the music of Horace Silver.  Both legendary jazz musicians and composers passed away in in 2015 & 2014, respectively.  Their innovative music and imipact on jazz won Coleman a Pulitz Prize in 2007 for his music.  Silver's Obit. in The Daily Telegraph claimed Silver as "1 of the most exhilarating & influential forces in jazz over the last 65 yrs.  The student's themselves played with virtuoso and syncopation.  Ensemble A included a vibraphone played by Jacob Chapman that added electricity and bounce to the music.  It was thrilling to watch his mallets bounce off the keys.  Ensemble E featured Kanoa Mendenhall on Bass who plucked and strummed her instrument with bluesy and classical intonation.  Two alternating pianists Mathis Picard & Paul Bloom shared duty on the piano with verve.  It's entertaining to hear the various students speak of the piece about to be performed; their  interpretation, its history and quotes by Coleman or Silver.   The compositions were arranged by the students; an impressive skill.  I loved the free jazz sound coined by Coleman and jazzy fusion sound of Silver on the program.  In particular, I enjoyed  "Silver's Serenade & "Peace" and Coleman's "Blues Connotation."  Coleman's piece "Sadness" sounded like what hopelessness feels.  The evening however, was nothing short of exubertaing.  I have the highest esteem for the talented students and a slight feeling of envy for their camaraderie, passion and sheer joy of performing.