These young musicians competing in the Swing Central Jazz Finale were so very gifted! I would gladly go hear them play again... and again... and again!
In particular, the Ellington Jazz Ensemble were from the Lovett School in Atlanta, so they're homeboys! In particular, I would gladly dance my way - again! - through their four-man-trombone version of Etienne Charles' "Night Train"! That dirty piano was absolutely spine-tinglingly luscious! This was their director's final year and they did him proud, placing third in this national competition. Bravo! Please know that you were first in my eyes and ears and heart!
The other two contestants in this final round of the Savannah Music Festival competition were out-of-towners. One was from the West Coast, the other from West Palm Beach.
(smile)
Agoura High School must have an intense music program. They were the only ones to field not one, but two jazz groups to the competition. (Bear in mind that only twelve bands total were invited to compete.) Their Studio Jazz group placed second this year, offering their California spin on Thad Jones' "Quietude". Bravo!
Dreyfoos School of the Arts, of southern Florida, won this year! Their Jazz Ensemble 1 graced us with Oliver Nelson's "Blues and The Abstract Truth". The piece was a bit too discordant for me, but was still danceable. That's all that really matters, isn't it?
(smile)
Then... oh, my! Then we were all in for a real treat!
Many of the professional musicians who had performed during the music festival were part of the 9-piece pit orchestra tonight. What was the occasion?
Glad you asked!
The 1920 film by Oscar Micheaux, "Within Our Gates", was screened, with Wycliffe Gordon providing the soundtrack! He had composed the music after his third consecutive viewing of this film which had been lost from the world for almost sixty years.
Where was it finally found?
In a old film vault in Spain.
Wow.
This is only the second time ever that the soundtrack, "Within These Gates of Mine", has been played live while the film was screened. We are so blessed to have this special event here in our little town!
The jazz students in the audience certainly recognized how special this was.
At the end of the film, as the last notes sounded, they simultaneously gave a standing ovation.
Remarkable!
They were truly paying attention to this ancient silent story of a young, black, female teacher trying to raise funds up North for a poor school in the South, and her finding love along the way.
In this day of instantaneous communication in a world lit by individual blue screens, the act of solidarity and appreciation by these young musicians did my heart good.
i thank You, God, for allowing me to bear witness!
And, should your curiosity be aroused and you want to see what it was all about, you may view the complete film here.
You can even buy the soundtrack I heard tonight!
That will be close to what I experienced tonight.
Close.
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