Author: eriq

Performance matters

As a complete novice, I was worried that I would be spending the week counting the hours until it ended. Having no experience with jazz or really any music in a similar category I feared that everyone would be speaking a different language than me. That feeling lasted about 12 hours, through the morning and into the afternoon I was experiences what others may describe as a mild case of “culture shock.” The music sounded like music but did not evoke any emotion. Until Monday night when Rahsaan Barber played “Open Sesame.” This song had all of the characteristics of a jazz tune, while being rhythmic and melodic in a way I could understand and relate to. To tie it all together, Barber and Dan Davis (drummer) put on a spectacular performance that will not been soon forgotten.

Communication matters

Jazz is unique from other music in that it contains lots of improvisation from the whole band. Each member offers their own performance at one point or another either to back up a solo from another artist or for a solo of their own. This requires a level of coordination unheard of in most contemporary pop. Everyone I talked to listed the opportunity to communicate and synchronize with other band members as a top reason for choosing jazz.

Engagement matters 

At the beginning of the workshop we had the pleasure of watching Barber play original pieces of music such as “Open Sesame.” This not only earned Barber a standing ovation from the crowd at the end of the night, but made him a can’t miss artist for the rest of the week. On Tuesday I was once again sitting in my assigned seat at the back of the theater. A duo of young men sat in front of me, and I could gather from the presence of noise-cancelling headphones that they may have been attending for compulsory reasons. This lasted about 5 minutes, until once again Barber entered stage right. Headphones immediately went in the backpacks and the duo moved up about 6 rows. This music means a lot to the artists who dedicate themselves to it, and that is not lost on the workshop attendees who likely share the same passion for the art.

Having fun matters

After 5 of the shortest and longest days of my life, I am happy to say that I completed this workshop. If given the chance or need, I would do it again in a heartbeat. When you meet a group of people working hard on a skill or a craft that takes the dedication of a lifetime such as music, I find that hard not to like. To commit is to enjoy, whether you are just practicing by yourself or performing in front of 1,000 people. If you are having fun and giving yourself to the music, you can find joy from that in 5 days or less.

Carol Beard is a community member from Holly Springs, North Carolina. She is one of the seven vocalists in the 2024 class of the UNC Summer Jazz Workshop.

A lifelong performer and singer, Beard began her musical career in her childhood. In her community theater exploits, she was in several musical performances. She joined and performed with several of her friends, receiving her formal training as a vocalist. 

Her background being in musical theater, her first experience with jazz was at the jazz workshop at the University of Louisville. Meeting the people there and seeing the different styles made her fall in love with the art and style of jazz music. Beard and her husband were a staple of that workshop as well, until they moved to North Carolina.

Beard is involved in several of the jazz initiatives in the Triangle area, including the jazz workshop, which she has done for the past three years. Another is the Sharp Nine Gallery in Durham. She says that she enjoys contributing to the rich jazz culture of the region.

All artists, including Beard, draw inspiration from those that come before them. Beard says specifically that she was inspired by Carmen McRae, a prolific vocalist from the 20th century jazz scene. McRae, who in her heyday performed with the likes of Louis Armstrong and Dave Brubeck, is known for recording “Here to Stay” (1950s), “Lover Man” (1962), and “The Great American Song Book” (1972).

Unlike some more modern compositional styles, jazz requires a connection between all of the artists and the song. With all of the improvisation and back and forth of the instruments of the frontline to rhythm to the vocalists, all members need to be compatible for the song to flow. Beard says this is what she enjoys most about performing.

“You are supposed to communicate with each other. It’s like an organism,” she says.

Beard is part of a combo this week that is led by the esteemed Nathan Warner. Beard and her husband are a lovely inclusion to this workshop every year and have a reputation for being kind and enthusiastic participants. They are playing in the same combo at 3 p.m. this Friday, June 28, 2024, at the jazz student performance expo in the Moeser Auditorium. 

The auditorium was empty as I searched for a seat. Granted, I arrived 30 minutes early. As I sat with about 5 other Chapel Hill locals in an auditorium of several hundred empty seats, I was not sure how long of an hour I was in for.

As I scrolled on my phone I felt a rumbling … an earthquake possibly? No, it was just the workshop participants. Within 5 minutes the auditorium was full, the rafters vibrating with the sounds of restlessness. The stage lights buzzing, shining on the polished instruments. 

As the night kicked off director Stephen Anderson walked out on stage to introduce the artist for the night.Rahsaan Barber the lead performer on the saxophone. The first tune was a classy piece from Barber’s library. Previous to this workshop, I had no jazz experience, unless you include watching “Whiplash” just to hear J.K. Simmons lose his temper for 2 hours straight. I would compare this first song to the final scene of “Whiplash.” The solos were like fireworks. I heard sounds I had never heard in my life before this set.

One notable performance from the ensemble was the drummer Dan Davis. The only way to describe his performance was “cinematic.”Davis was slashing away at the drums like he was fighting a demon — at one point, a drumstick went flying out of his hand landing at the feet of Jerald Shynett on the trombone. Neither artist missed a beat, in the blink of an eye Davis had a new stick in his hand. The next second I looked down at my hands to find that I was clapping. 

Jazz, poetry, and other forms of performance art are at their best when the artists are giving their all, when they show you the blood sweat, tears and experience that went into this piece. The music is nice, but as a lay person, I am here to see the artist. It is safe to say that the artist delivered in full.