Julliard Jazz Orch The Music of Woody Herman & DIzzy Gillespie

The Julliard Jazz Orch played the music of Woody n' Dizzy under guest conductor & renown trumpet player Jon Faddis.  This concert can be summed up as upbeat, joyous & entertaining.  Knowing the Julliard students are always going to dazzle with their talented playing is a given.  It's not known what the program is or who will be the guest artist.  This adds an extra element of delightful surprises.  Last night's concert was the music of the great Woody Herman & Dizzy Gillespie.  The program selections had a quick tempo with flourishing trills & a Latin- Copacabana sound.  A few selections were:  "Apple Honey," "Bijou" and "Sweet & Lovely" (the most romantic number on the program.)  The Julliard Orch was phenomenal as usual.  I want to call out the incredible piano playing by Joel Wenhardt and Sam Chess on the trombone.  The evening had warm hearted humor aided by Mr Faddis' storytelling of having worked with legendary artists such as: Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk & hearing stories he heard from other artists who had known older jazz legends like Benny Goodman.  Faddis sang the praises of both Herman & Gillespie as jazz greats and spoke of them as kind & generous people.  According to Faddis  "Benny Goodman was not such a kind man.  His band was rehearsing in his basement studio and members complained how cold it felt.  Goodman said really and left the studio & came back wearing a heavycoat."  The passion & love for jazz was evident in the mentorship of Jon Faddis who treated us to his incredible trumpet playingin the 2nd set.  It was interesting to see the stewardship of Faddis with the students.  He insisted (kindheartedly) they stand & bow after they're given recognition.  One trumpet player was late for the 2nd set & was made not only to wait in the wings but also admonished by not being allowed to play until the last 2 selections.  This was one of the most enjoyable & insightful programs I've attended.  Thank you Mr Faddis & the Julliard Jazz Orch for such a swinging & cheerful evening.