Hillsdale’s Big Band will perform their spring concert this Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Teacher of Music Chris McCourry, the band director, is bringing in guest saxophonist Chris Vadala, who currently is the Director of Jazz Studies and a saxophone professor at the University of Maryland.
The concert will feature pieces from last semester, this semester, and even some that McCourry was not initially sure the band could handle.
“This is the best the band has been in the four years I’ve been playing with it,” senior double bassist Joseph Banovetz said.
Many of the jazz concerts feature guest artists, and this one is no exception. Vadala performed with the internationally recognized Chuck Mangione Quartet and has recorded or played with jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, and Ray Charles.
“I like to bring in guys who are really successful in their fields so the students can see what the real deal is like,” McCourry said.
McCourry explained his excitement for Vadala’s acceptance to solo with the big band.
“I played to death with his CDs. I dreamed about doing solos with Chris Vadala. Now it’s going to happen,” McCourry said. “He was like a rockstar to us.”
McCourry is not the only musician thrilled to play with Vadala.
“I am very excited to play with him. He’s kind of a big deal,” said sophomore trumpet player Luke Zahari.
“I can say without a doubt that he is a saxophone juggernaut. I can tell that he’s going to wow the audience,” Banovetz said.
Vadala will solo on the last five standards of the thirteen the band will play: “Take The ‘A’ Train,” “A Night in Tunisia,” “Quintessence,” “Children Of Sanchez,” and “Down By the Riverside.”
The concert will mix classics standards like “Take the ‘A’ Train” and “Corner Pocket” with contemporary standards like “Blues and the Abstract Truth” and “Down by the Riverside.” “They like playing the hard stuff,” McCourry said. “We’re doing a couple of Oliver Nelson charts. They go ‘this is so cool, this is so cool.’ Once they start to learn the contemporary language, they get really excited.”
“I’m looking forward to ‘Blues and the Abstract Truth’ by Oliver Nelson and ‘Corner Pocket’ a la Count Basie,” said Zahari, who will solo in “Corner Pocket.”
“The old folks will enjoy ‘The Best is Yet to Come’ and ‘Stompin’ at the Savoy,’” McCourry said. Banovetz is looking forward to “Stompin’ at the Savoy” as well.
“I’m playing a bass feature; it’s basically just a chance for me to show off,” Banovetz said.
The eclectic set will highlight big band jazz through the 20th century, and introduce the audience to a wide variety of sounds and styles. Because of this, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
“As long as there’s a strong reaction, love or hate, I’m good,” said McCourry.
With the big band’s enthusiasm high, and the presence of renowned saxophonist Vadala, this year’s spring concert promises a night of great tunes and great energy.
