Afternoon concert performed by BC jazz combo

Bellevue College’s Jazz Ensemble gave a concert in C building’s main room from 2:30 to 3:30 last Wednesday. A variety of jazzy selections were included, such as compositions from Miles Davis and Frank Hubbard, “Two to Tango” by local composer Daniel Barry, and the tune “My Favorite Things” from the movie “The Sound of Music.”  Students had the opportunity to experience a good, jazz luncheon.
Attendee Ali Birjand, like most interviewed, didn’t even know it was happening. “I didn’t know about the band thing. I just came ‘cause my friends were here, ” he stated. But he adds “I like the music; it’s [very] good.” He especially “likes how the guy play[ed] the saxophone.” He thought “the music [was] great” and the performers were “talented people.”
To student Shawn Lee, the question why he attended the event was “Pointless…’cause I’m always here.” He believed “The event came to me.” After listening to some music he decided “It’s pretty good.” He “like[s] jazz” and commented the event was “lively, yeah, very live.”
An anonymous person “came to the cafeteria to play slap,” not for the event.  When asked if she enjoyed the music, she frowned. However, many people were clapping for the performers between songs.
Students with a variety of English-speaking ability were able to enjoy the concert and gain exposure to jazz music. Mami Higashino responded with an emphatic “yes” when asked whether she enjoyed the concert. She thought “It was nice.”
Student George Rogers also just found out about the concert. He came to the cafeteria to work on a research project with classmates. He summed up his feelings about the music with the statement “Jazz is good. I like jazz.” Additionally, he commented:  “A lot of people who come in here are really great musicians, but the sound system is set up too heavily in favor of the bass. It’s refreshing to have a band where the speakers are working properly.” In his experience, most of the music featured in the cafeteria is “poorly mixed with a bunch of bass.” The amount of bass players they had was “in proportion to the rest of the music,” according to him.
Overall, he feels “it’s good how they have jazz music,” because “he likes jazz music.” He was “glad they came by to play.”
Professional trumpeteer and Bellevue College professor Jim Sisko oversaw the band and played trumpet along with them Wednesday in the cafeteria. “We like to play this venue just to raise awareness of our music program,” he explained. “There are a lot of musicians who aren’t involved in music. Later that day, a larger ensemble—inclusive of the student jazz band–played at Tula’s Jazz Club in Downtown Seattle. This larger gathering included a full rhythm section, and involved Bellevue College musicians’ exposure to a diversity of musical venues. Interested students are encouraged to audition for the ensemble.