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`Cliché though it may be, the jazz concert performed at Lyte Auditorium was smooth, something like a fresh cup of coffee in the morning. It woke you up, made you snap to attention, and yet did so in the least abrasive way possible.
Millersville University was privileged enough to host Dr. Eddie Henderson, a well known and brilliant trumpet player who currently resides in New York City. Dr. Henderson’s reputation preceded him and he did not disappoint his audience. He and the MU Jazz Ensemble did an excellent job and gave a top notch performance.
Marc Campolongo, who played the trumpet, felt that Dr. Henderson was not only an amazing trumpet player, but a genuinely nice person as well.
“I had the opportunity to talk with Eddie at rehearsals the day before and he even let me play his horns,” said Campolongo. “After the concert he came out for food with the group and talked to us. It was a great experience and I hope that Millersville continues to bring in amazing jazz artists.”
Eddie Henderson is a jazz legend and the MU jazz had the oppurtunity to play alongside him. Photo by Christian Shuts.
Daniel Meeker, who was featured on the trombone, could not have agreed more. He was honored to be on stage with someone as talented and well-established as Dr. Henderso and he was more than happy to accompany him on his instrument of expertise.
“I picked the trombone because it has a very unique sound. Also, when I was younger, seeing the slide of the trombone move around quickly really pulled my interest,” said Meeker.
Though all involved with the performance were more than willing to praise Dr. Eddie Henderson for his musical abilities and personal humility, perhaps the most ready to shower him with compliments was guitarist Ben Young.
“I’d like everyone to know that not only is Eddie Henderson a jazz legend, having played with people like Herbie Hancock and Art Blakey, but more importantly he is a warm, gracious, compassionate human being,” said Young. “It’s meant a lot to me, being afforded the opportunity to work with him and even just hang out with the guy. His character and manner of conduct are models for what we all should aspire to be.”
Dr. Henderson’s charisma could be felt in every song and it was obvious that everyone accompanying him on stage had a great time doing so.
“The show went extremely well last night. It had to be one of the best concerts I’ve been involved in during my time in college,” said Josh Martin, who played the bass.
The concert had a very easy-going feeling to it; even the names of the songs performed exuded an air of playfulness. With titles like “On Green Dolphin Street”, “The Jeep is Jumpin’” and “Take It Light”, the concert helped the audience to forget its worries.
“When the song is uptempo and everyone is locked in the groove, playing jazz is really fun,” said Kelli Siegfried, who played the saxophone.
Siegfried felt the concert went very well considering they did not have an ample amount of time to practice for the show. The MU Jazz Ensemble had just given a performance the week before with Pete McGuinness. Siegfried, who enjoyed performing with both musicians, thought Henderson was an especially good improviser who was able to connect with his audience.
Jazz is one of those styles of music that demands appreciation, whether someone likes the genre or not.
“I really enjoy the grooves and the overall expressive feel of the style. You can have fun sticking to the music form or go off on a tangent and explore, making your own musical statement. Plus jazz is just pure fun for me,” said Campolongo.
Young feels that the term is a loaded one and is simply a label that has little meaning.
“I tend to feel that ‘jazz’ is more of a philosophy of art, one that leads towards freedom and honest self-expression. I love jazz, but ultimately, what I do is an amalgamation of everything that I’m into, whether it’s rock, blues, R&B/soul, jazz, classical – everything,” said Young. “And if that’s what people think of as ,jazz, then that’s cool with me, because it’s all music, and it’s all valid,”
Whatever you want to call it, the music played by Dr. Henderson and the MU Jazz Ensemble was anything but ordinary and nothing but amazing.