Photo: Cassi Ainsworth-Grace
A Smooth Start to the Academic Year – the Freshers’ JazzJam
Cassi reviews JazzWorks’ first event of the school year.
Held in the stately New Golf Club on Thursday the 12th, the first Jazzworks’ JazzJam of the academic year kicked off with the groove and pizazz that has always defined it. As an opportunity for freshers to mix in with the existing members and to show-off the newest addition to Jazzworks’ venues, the night was one to remember.
The Club is stunning, to say the least, with lavish furniture; a perfect setting to indulge in a glass of wine while enjoying the show. Offering floor-to-ceiling windows that opened up on the Old Course and stylish wooden panelling, the room was definitely cushy. The new venue offers a classy ambiance for a rich patchwork of audience members, from students to locals to hotel guests who happened to stroll by when the performance was taking place. Such an array is unique to Jazzworks, and is likewise reflected in their band members, which include musicians from across the county, both young and old.
To say there was one star of the night would be inadequate, as each musician had incredible talent to offer. Saxophonist and vocalist Pete started off the vocals with a sultry performance of Besame, followed by the seductive voice of Andres, who likewise played the base for the duration of the night. Nearing the end of the night, the drummer, Yusha, offered the audience a powerful solo and was received by a very generous round of applause. The one point that stuck out, however, was the stark lack of female performers. Fortunately, at the latter end of the night, two female singers and a clarinet player began to charm the room with their overwhelming talent.
Speaking to Andres and trombonist Ali, we learnt that each song involves a significant amount of improvisation from the band members who often played without sheet music. Performers were able to jump in or out at any point, adding to the relaxed yet comfortable atmosphere that characterised the night. Such an air was more than perfect to lure in some new talent from the pool of freshers.
Undoubtedly a hit, the New Golf Club was packed to the rafters, with a rapt audience enjoying the show from all corners of the room. The New Golf Club is the Jazzworks newest venue, and will host a JazzJam on the first Thursday of each month. The rest of the time, a weekly session will take place in the Union on Thursday evenings from 8 to 10. Always free, and always open to everyone, any performance by the Jazzworks is one you should not be missing.