In keeping with the 1920s-themed Carnival, the Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble will be having a concert in Spaulding Auditorium this Saturday at 8 p.m. This term, the ensemble will be aided by famed saxophonist, composer and poet Oliver Lake.
The Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble is the College's foremost jazz group made up of approximately 18 students. The Coast performs in several concerts each term as well as one main show in Spaulding Auditorium. Each fall and winter, the Coast invites an accomplished jazz musician or group to the College to perform with them. Since 1979, they have hosted approximately 40 musicians, such as Jazz greats Joseph Buoy, Max Roach, the Heath Brothers and Dexter Gordon.
The first half of this weekend's concert will feature the Coast performing the compositions of Lake. The Coast will also perform an original piece, titled "Onche," by Michael Roberts '00.
The second half of the concert will spotlight the talents of Trio 3, described by Coast Director Don Glasgo as an "all-star trio." The group is made up of Lake, drummer Andrew Cyrille and bassist Reggie Workman, who had the honor of playing with John Coltrane.
Lake is an accomplished and world renowned composer as well as an extremely talented and soulful saxophonist. In a conversation during his stay at the College, he described how he did not always aspire for a musical profession. "I started [playing the saxophone] when I was about 19. Before that, I was going to be a Biology teacher. I flunked out of that and that's when I decided to play the saxophone," Lake said.
Since that revelation, Lake has toured the globe as a soloist and as a founding member of the World Saxophone Quartet. "I play mostly my original work -- primarily that or some tunes of the jazz masters," he said.
When, however, he does play the works of the jazz masters, his very own profound talent and passion comes through, especially with his improvisation that is so integral to jazz music.
Trio 3 has been in existence for the past five years and has already gained national esteem within in the jazz world.
The Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble has been around for almost as long as jazz has. "The Coast began in the late '20s as a kind of Dixie Band Ensemble" which was organized primarily by students, Glasgo said. Since 1975, the ensemble has thrived under the faculty directorship of Glasgo.
This Saturday's repertoire will also include "Blue Cee," a Mingus piece arranged by Glasgo. Several Dartmouth students, such as vocalist Sarah London '01, saxophonist Tony Jurado '98, trumpeter Andy Butterworth '99 and trombonist Ben Mishkin '00, will have solos in Saturday's concert.
"Music is a great way to bring people together -- socially, as players and as audiences," Galsgo said.
