Yesterday evening, Moeser Auditorium was filled with students, parents, faculty, and locals, all eager to delve into the world of jazz. Stephen Anderson, director of the UNC Summer Jazz Workshop for the past 14 years, sets the tone for the evening’s upcoming performance.
Jazz artist Rahsaan Barber was the star of the show. He opened the show sharing the story behind his first song “Open Sesame.” As Barber rustled through his notes, he began to play his saxophone with stride and power that made it clear he was born to play the saxophone.
“Open Sesame” was enlightening, especially for my first jazz concert. The musicians were in perfect harmony, as each instrumentalist played an important role in the composition. Each front-line instrumentalist had their own solo.
The saxophone stood out most, followed closely by trumpet player Nathan Warner and piano player Ed Paolantonio. Their energy and enthusiasm filled the auditorium with a love for jazz.
After “Open Sesame,” Barber says “let’s cha cha cha” to “Brooklyn en la Casa”, a piece that began with a deep bass solo, setting a dark mood. After his solo, the rest of the musicians followed effortlessly with a powerful melody led by trombone player Jerald Shynett and the saxophone. This performance demonstrated the world of jazz live.
Next, Barber performed “Down in My Soul,” a piece that reminded him of his mother. This was personally my favorite piece, because of the intricate trumpet solo. The cheers from the audience uplifted the performers, making it an amazing experience for the students.
“Her Family Calls Her Claire” followed, beginning with a lullaby-like piano solo, soon joined by the bass played by Jason Foureman and drummer Dan Davis. The saxophone and trombone carried the melody into a beautiful harmonic piece. This piece felt more emotional than the others because of a bass solo.
Barber’s final piece was a funk song dedicated to his favorite saxophonist, a local from North Carolina. He invited the audience to clap along in tempo with the music. This was an audience favorite, as the energy in the auditorium shifted.
Barber’s energetic performance had the audience nodding their heads, stomping their feet, and clapping in rhythm. The saxophone’s high pitches, and dynamic drumming, only made the audience want more!
Rahsaan Barber’s performance showcased the musician’s talents and passion thoroughly as their love for jazz soared through the auditorium, without breaking a sweat! As a non-musician, I was able to understand their dedication to jazz.
This evening brought together a community of music lovers, a memorable night for all. Dr. Rahsaan Barber is truly something special, and I’m glad to have had the opportunity to attend!
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