A long first day of excitement and exhaustion held by UNC Summer Jazz Workshop participants concluded as blue lights shone in Moeser Auditorium.
June 26, 2023.
Award-winning trumpeter, Al Strong, took to the stage.
Alongside him was a group of uniquely talented individuals. The band was made up of UNC professors and esteemed professional musicians.
- Rahsaan Barber: Saxophones
- Roland Barber: Trombone
- Stephen Anderson: Piano
- Jason Foureman: Bass
- Kobie Watkins: Drums
From start to finish, Strong kept the audience in the palm of his hand. The band swung both in their playing and in their physical movements, grooving from side to side for the entirety of the hour-and-a-half-long performance.
Although Strong was the star of the show, he accepted that position humbly. He was often seen stepping to the side during the performance to allow his band to shine. After Roland Barber blared out an especially remarkable sequence, Strong nodded and smiled in admiration.
The ensemble’s communication skills were clear throughout the show. Players signaled with their hands or instruments to each other to play louder, start an improvised phrase, or to join the rest of the group.
Transitions between pieces acted as a rhythmic show-and-tell. Anderson, Foureman, and Watkins conversed elegantly with their overlapping melodies, telling the same story from three different perspectives.
Watkins’ enthusiasm was a highlight of the evening. His never-ending energy and permanent smile were contagious to the audience, particularly after one of Rahsaan Barber’s growling, run-filled saxophone solos.
Strong’s musical choices brought Moeser Auditorium on a historical and personal journey. “At-Nimara’s Journey” honored Harriet Tubman, while “Lullaby For The Ancestors” brought emotion to the crowd.
When Strong started the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” melody, an elderly couple looked at each other and smiled at the piece’s familiarity.
Strong’s impressive range and contrast came through in “The Dog Who Always Finds His Way Home.” Repetitions, runs, and moments of resolution brought the theme to life.
Minutes later, Foureman held the audience in a trance with his hauntingly beautiful sound. Not even a breath was heard, for fear of losing the bass’s serenity.
The remainder of the concert featured a level of muted fuzziness from Strong, though it was entirely intentional. Comparable to the sound of an old-time audio recording, the texture was a pleasant addition.
Strong ended his evening leading the audience in a sing-along. Students, faculty, and staff joined Strong in chanting “The Blues” and “No More Blues” and clapping rhythmically.
“My name is Al Strong,” Strong said. “I love you very much.”
Strong wailed one final hurrah.
The audience leapt to their feet.