Evening of Jazz Concert, “The Monster and the Flower – A Study in Latin Jazz”

Pealer Recital Hall, PAC

FSU’s Department of Music Presents Evening of Jazz Concert, “The Monster and the Flower – A Study in Latin Jazz”

Frostburg State University’s Department of Music will present its Evening of Jazz Concert, “The Monster and the Flower – A Study in Latin Jazz,” featuring the FSU Jazz Orchestra, directed Dr. Brent Weber, on Friday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center.

Performers are vocalist Mack Taylor; section leader Gabe Hicks, Hailey Beining, Gwen Fazenbaker, Vincent Hangarter, Luis Hernandez, Lucas Lusby and Andre Perras on reeds; section leader Patrick Godfrey, Martin (MJ) Harden and Stephen Hess on trumpets; section leader Alex Frye, Connor Curtis, Doug Holtz, Zach Inglish (bass) and Jerimiah Twigg on trombones; and rhythm section members Nick Mellen on guitar Taylor Bryan on piano, Brandon Little on bass, Daniel Hicks on drum set and Jacob Deaver on percussion.

The program consists of “Mokopuni Magic” by Mark Taylor; “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise” by Oscar Hammerstein and Sigmund Romberg, arranged by Dave Rivello; “Besame Mucho” by Consuelo Velasquez, arranged by Roger Ingrahm; “The Monster and the Flower” by Claudio Roditi and Ricard Silveira, arranged by Darmon Meader; “Coconut Champagne” by Denis DiBlasio, arranged by Bob Lowen; “Chu Cho” by Paquito D’Rivera, transposed by Miles Collins; “This I Dig of You” by Hank Mobley, arranged by Mike Tomaro; “La Fiesta” by Chick Corea, arranged by Michael Phillip Mossman; “Feeling Good” by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, arranged by Matt Amy; and “Tiger of San Pedro” by John LaBarbera.

Reminiscent of the music Taylor wrote for the Stan Kenton Orchestra, the fiery showpiece “Mokopuni Magic” features a churning Afro-Cuban groove alternating with sections in swing.

“Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise” is a song from the 1928 operetta “The New Moon.” One of the best-known numbers from the show, it is a song of bitterness and yearning for a lost love.

“Bésame Mucho” (“Kiss Me a Lot”) was written in 1941 by Velasquez, who was about 15 years old at the time, in bolero style. Inspired by the “Nightingale Aria” from the opera “Goyescas” by Enrique Granados, she said that she had never been kissed when she wrote the song.

“The Monster and the Flower” is a song associated with multiple artists and arrangements. The original version was released in 1986 by Paquito D’Rivera Explosion.

In a Latin/calypso style, the appealing chart “Coconut Champagne” features crisp ensemble writing and a drum solo.
“Chu Cho” is a wonderful Latin number D’Rivera wrote for Mario Bauza and his Afro-Cuan Orchestra.

“This I Dig of You” is from “Soul Station,” an album American jazz saxophonist Mobley recorded in 1960. It’s an up-tempo hard bop vehicle full of slash chords and a Latin pedal/swing head.

Corea recorded “La Fiesta” on “Return to Forever,” a jazz fusion album, in 1972.

“Feeling Good” (also known as “Feelin’ Good”) is a song written by Newley and Bricusse for the musical “The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd.” It was first performed on stage in 1964.

“Tiger of San Pedro” is a jazz song by LaBarbera, made popular by trombonist Bill Watrous. It was the title song of the Grammy-nominated Columbia recording “Tiger of San Pedro” by Watrous’ band, The Manhattan Wildlife Refuge.

Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for seniors, members of the military, and FSU faculty and staff; and free for students and children. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.frostburg.edu. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door.

For more information, contact FSU’s Department of Music at 301-687-4109.

Music, Performance, Recital