Wertheim Concert Hall swings with the Jazz Band

By Joseph Cardenas// Contributing Writer

The Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center Concert Hall at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus was graced by FIU’s Big Band on December 1st.

The band lead by director Jim Hacker, began the night with  ‘From This Moment On’ by Cole Porter. Jazz being a more acquired taste, this song sounded like a poor introduction for the night. It sounded chaotic and all over the place. Granted, that’s how jazz is supposed to be, it’s definitely a genre meant to be all over the place. Still, the song was overwhelming for a first performance. The band followed with ‘Fun Time’ by Sammy Nestico, actually a much more enjoyable piece, with a swaying rhythm you could lounge to.

There were other songs to liven up the night. Highlights of the night were ‘Dear Old Stockholm’ and ‘Girl Talk’. Both nailed down the affinity of lounge music, yet still projecting perfectly throughout the concert hall. ‘Girl Talk’ consisted of pleasant tunes from the trombones and the saxophones that set the atmosphere leading into ‘Dear Old Stockholm’. ‘Stockholm’ had some of the best saxophone solos of the night from Taylor Vega on tenor sax.

‘March Majestic’ by Bob Mintzer showcased the band’s best choreography and direction from Hacker, as well as spectacular drum work from Osvaldo Vargas, who had an excellent solo in the opening number ‘From This Moment On’. The trombones and trumpets were given spectacular attention in ‘Buds’ by Randy Brecker and wasted no talent in their time to shine. Melodious and rhythmic, but also not dull, the song was a gem in the setlist.

The concert performance was finished with Sammy Nestico’s ‘Ya Gotta Try Harder’. Though chaotic in traditional jazz nature, it still possessed a lounge groove with an amazing end that blended with all of the instruments seamlessly. The song was accented by Nick Rousseau on guitar and Nicole Payne on the piano.

“It’s exhilarating,” said Payne, who first started the band this semester, about jazz.

“It’s very freeing. Obviously you have a form, some rules you have to abide, but it’s pretty flexible. It really allows you to express yourself and express your own voice.”

“Jazz is a little more abstract for me,” said Jack Bernard. “But it was a good performance. You could tell they were well rehearsed, it was a good group.”

Jenny Hacker, the band director’s wife, attended to see her husband perform with his talented students. “It’s a bit of a smaller band than I’m used to seeing but they sounded fantastic.” She continued to say that especially for a student jazz band, they still sounded like professionals.

Jazz is a form of required taste, but anyone who has gone to see the Big Band live would agree they are phenomenal. Keep an eye on the Jazz Big Band’s event calendar, located in the website for the College of Architecture and the Arts (carta.fiu.edu).

The latest announcement for next semester is “Swingin’ with the FIU Jazz Big Band” on April 20. Contact Jim Hacker for more information at hackerj@fiu.edu or 786-897-6500.

All Photos By Joseph Cardenas