Julliard Jazz Ensembles-Assembles Elite Jazz Musicians; Joel Ross on Vibraphone

Last night the Julliard Jazz Ensemble paid tribute to The Latin Tinge.  The compositions were by Ray Baretto, Cal Tjader & Carolos Henriquez.  Guest coach for the Ensemble was Carlos Henriquez.  Henriquez, a native New Yorker (b 1979) & Julliard alum, is currently a member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet & the Jazz Orch at Linc Ctr.  Sitting in the audience was legendary artist Wynton Marsalis.  He is also the founder & director of the Julliard Jazz program.  Marsalis & numerous great jazz musicians are dedicated to inspiring, mentoring & insuring jazz remains a thriving art form.  I'm  always thrilled by the performances, the mutual respect between students & professional jazz artists & the infectious enjoyment both on stage & by audience members.  The talented & humble students share their passion for jazz & their struggles to master jazz with its many modules, styles & rhythms.  Joel Wenhardt on piano proudly introduced guest artist Joel Ross on vibraphones.   "Never have I been prouder to share my name & the stage with the great Joel Ross."  Ross has performed & recorded with legendary jazz musicians:  Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock & Christian McBride.  The musical number "Linda Chacana" featured Ross' virtuosity on the vibraphone.  "Linda Chacana" has the innate joy of rhythm that brings up a visceral feeling of Copacabana Club style dancing; shoulders were swaying in the seats.   Onstage, Ross, when not playing actually danced along to the music.  The other jazz musicians are enraptured with their bandmates playing, keeping time with their bodies.  "Gauchi Guara" was another sensual & exciting number with obvious Cuban flair.  The Juliard students play & arrange the compositions.  It's hard to single out individuals from the exceptional ensemble but a shout out to Zoe Obadia on alto sax who also played a trilling flute in "Linda Chcana."   Kanoa Mendenhall played a melodious bass.  Her instrument overshadowed her in height & girth but her sound was rich & vibrant.  The second set brought out another fabulous ensemble who skillfully played the "complex 6/8 timing/rhythm."  The students credited their coaches for helping them to " expand & understand music that is distant from us and for allowing us to figure it our for ourselves while helping us find our direction."  Music is an int'l language & artform melding people of different cultures & heritages.  The sizzling evening of Latin jazz was an affirmation of friendship, co-operation & regard for one another.  I believe music has the capacity to enrich our lives & bring us together.