At Eaton Chapel, during the afternoon of Sept. 27, the Beloit Memorial Jazz Orchestra took the stage as the headlining act of the Sunday afternoon jazz concert. A total of 20 musicians made up the orchestra, with many of the performers getting their own solos over the course of the hour-long set. Chris Behrens, who currently teaches at Beloit Memorial High School, was the director, multitasking both introducing the musical pieces as well as handling the microphones as the instrumentalists traded-off solos one after another.
An elongated intermission took place after the end of the orchestra’s set as the Jeff Hamilton Trio prepared to take stage. The Trio features Tadataka Unno on piano, Jon Hamar on bass, and Jeff Hamilton on drums.
The orchestra and trio did a few songs together, and this is where Hamilton first revealed his drumming expertise. With the usage of drum brushes, Hamilton was able to switch from rapid calculated drumming to more textural playing and in the process play into the wider dynamic of the ensemble.
The Trio in isolation was no less impressive, and their performance was filled with memorable moments. Jon Hamar had an extended bass solo that was captivatingly sunny and joyous. Jeff Hamilton at one point ditched his drum brushes and resolved to attack the drums directly with his hands. The final number was led by pianist Tadataka Unno, launching a blues number with an energetic piano solo.
To speak about the personal experience of attending this concert, I believe that I am more familiar with jazz than the average person — as in, I have gone out of my way to listen to jazz albums. That being said, I think that technical musicianship can be appreciated no matter one’s particular taste in genre, at least to some degree. I was recommended this concert by a friend who attended alongside me, and the experience reminded me to take advantage of events offered to students. This concert was free for Beloit students and I wouldn’t hesitate to attend another like it.
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