Septet invades Detroit Fest with Oberlin-style jazz

Jamm sessions make for the ultimate jazz experience

The Oberlin Jazz Septet took the stage this past weekend at The Ford Montreux / Detroit Jazz Festival alongside jazz legends pianist Dave Brubeck, Grammy-Award Winner Bob James, The Elvin Jones Jazz Machine and the CJQ Reunion. The Festival, which ran from September 2-6, was a collaboration between Europe's oldest and most prestigious jazz festival and one of America's great music cities.

The Festival, born in 1979, just celebrated its 20th anniversary. The Septet, selected by Conservatory faculty just one week before the festival, consisted this year of Tom Bencivengo (alto and soprano saxophone), Andy Hunter (trombone),Farnell Newton (trumpet), Jeffrey Bean (guitar), Matt Mueller (bass), Allan Baker (piano), and Jason Brown (drums).

Playing at Montreux, the nation's largest free jazz festival, is becoming a tradition for Oberlin musicians. "Each time the Oberlin Jazz Septet plays, we get invited back," said Bencivengo.

Professor of Bass Peter Dominguez primarily organized the event and Don Walden, Professor of Saxophone and Detroit resident, served as a tour guide for the group during their trip. Music during the Festival was played on five stages. The Septet, which played two sets, including original works by band members and by Professor of Piano Neil Creque, was thrilled by the enthusiasm that the audience showed.

"The crowd was surprisingly receptive and energetic. The place was packed," said Bencivengo and Hunter. "We even received a standing ovation," said Hunter. "People in Detroit know good music when they hear it," said Farnell Newton, "and each time we played, they wanted to hear more. Just to see all those people and musicians in the same place for only four days, and to compare ideas with them, was incredible."

When the Septet was not rehearsing they were able to watch their mentors perform live all day long. One of these was Detroit trumpet player Louis Smith, a judge at the Festival. On their way to the parking lot after their final performance, they were stopped by Smith. Smith was extremely praiseworthy and complemented the Septet on their "fresh, new sound."

Some of the learning was even contraband. Newton, along with Brown, talked his way backstage to meet the other acts, including Elvin Jones. "Meeting Elvin," continued Newton, "was definitely the highlight of the Festival."

In addition to performing on the main stages, featured members of the Festival often made cameos at local after-hours jazz clubs. "The clubs in Detroit were as educational as the Festival itself," said Hunter. It was neat after studying jazz in the classroom to see where it really all began- in jam sessions in small clubs late at night."

Can we expect to see them at the Montreux/Detroit Festival next year? Bencivengo said, "We've worked really hard, with at least two to three rehearsals a day. We definitely hope to return next year. It was a great experience." For the remainder of this year, the group has its sights set the Tri-C and Notre-Dame jazz festivals.

The Oberlin Jazz Septet will perform this Friday at 12:15 pm in Hales Studio.