Fredonia Jazz Workshop to host fall concert, includes a capella, swing, Latin styles

JOHN COZZA
Special to The Leader

HEATHER PERSONETT/ Special to The Leader

Exams are getting closer and stress is building as the end of the semester nears. A break from academics is imperative and there is music waiting to liberate the mind.

The Fredonia Jazz Workshop organized a fall concert that is sure to bring life to even the most rigid studiers. There are three groups performing at the 8 p.m. fall show on Friday, Dec. 7 in Juliet J. Rosch Recital Hall. Vocal Jazz Ensemble (VJE), Weapons of Jazz Destruction and Fredonia Jazz Ensemble (FJE) are all going to be performing in a concert that will cater to all types of listeners.

"We are raising the bar to make it [the concert] better than the last one," said Joel Hunt, a senior saxophone performance and composition major and director of FJE. The three groups have been practicing all semester for the show and have been working separately to put on a stellar performance. "FJE is also having a guest soloist, Mike Caupa, [who] will be playing the trumpet," Hunt said. "I've picked out a few trumpet pieces and a few contemporary big band pieces."

While FJE is catering to the big band audience, Weapons of Jazz Destruction, directed by senior music major Mike McGough, will attract a different crowd. Sporting all original jazz songs written by McGough, Weapons of Jazz Destruction will surely reach the college crowd with modern songs to listen to.

VJE is also including a capella, swing and Latin styles of jazz. "VJE consists of 13 singers, a drummer, pianist and a bassist," said junior music education major and director of VJE Corey Cerullo. VJE has received many new members and first semester freshman that are expected to have no problem delivering a great performance on Friday.

"Everything is coming along very solidly. We have been spending all semester perfecting our six pieces," Cerullo said.

Josh Breslaver, a freshman music performance major, expressed excitement about drumming in VJE. "I really enjoy playing. I didn't get this experience in high school. Sports took a priority and forming jazz groups was very difficult," Breslaver said.

Jazz music is a very liberating style of music not only for the listeners but also the players. "I love jazz. It's a nice break from classical music, which can be very strenuous to learn," Cerullo said. He was a member of VJE freshman year and is pleased to direct the group as a junior.

The directors of the three groups are all students and this has provided a more relaxed environment to work in. "With the directors being students they can connect with the players a lot better," Breslaver said.

FJE and Weapons of Jazz Destruction will play at Ellicottville Brewing Company, on Main St. which provides the bands with more opportunities to perform their songs. The Fredonia Jazz Workshop also organizes a show on May 1 with these three bands. If you can not make it the show on Dec. 7, keep your eyes open for future jazz performances in Fredonia.