University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Ensemble
Summer 2010
European Tour
Picture & YouTube links are at the bottom!
After well over a year of planning and preparation, our top student jazz ensemble directed by Mr. Brian Gorrell journeyed overseas in July to honor invitations to perform at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy and at the 50th anniversary of the Jazz a Juan Festival in France (the oldest jazz festival in Europe). The Umbria Festival (Perugia, Italy) is widely considered the most prestigious in Europe and UCO was one of only four schools invited to perform worldwide this year! The 19 piece student ensemble was accompanied by directors Brian Gorrell, Jeff Kidwell, CFAD Associate Dean Dr. Gayle Kearns, and 13 additional patrons.
The 35 member group arrived in Rome late Tuesday afternoon after a lengthy 24-hour travel stretch starting Monday morning. Despite being 7 hours ahead of Oklahoma time, most of the group enjoyed a walking tour to visit the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon that first night running on pure adrenaline and gelato!
Wednesday was dedicated to experiencing as much of Rome as possible in one day. The group enjoyed a guided tour through the Roman Forum and Collosseum. Free time was then available to explore many other famous Roman sights such as Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and much more.
Thursday morning the group traveled to Todi, a quaint Italian town perched on a tall two-crested hill overlooking the River Tiber. Todi gave the group a chance to experience rural Italy away from the tourist spotlight. Later that afternoon they arrived in Perugia, home of the prestigious Umbria Jazz Festival. The excitement level certainly increased after a sight visit to the "Piazza IV Novembre Stage" the ensemble was scheduled to perform at the next night! That evening most of the group enjoyed the opportunity to hear The Pat Metheny Group in concert featuring Lyle Mays, Steve Rodby, and Antonio Sanchez. The artistry of Pat Metheny's Quartet was matched by an amazing festival production and about 20,000 of the most appreciative audience members ever experienced at a jazz concert.
On Friday the group enjoyed a walking tour of historic old Perugia. After an afternoon rehearsal, the jazz ensemble set up and sound checked at the Piazza IV Novembre Stage. This large stage is located in the old center square of Perugia with one main street about a 1/2 mile long leading to it. This was the location of the majority of festival activities including strolling New Orleans Jazz Bands, street vendors, and much more. When the UCO Jazz Ensemble began their performance at 9:30PM, they were amazed that the entire square and street leading to it were flooded with jazz fans eager to hear every note! The audience in attendance was well over 10,000 strong and some estimated over 14,000! The concert was incredibly well received and the students were more than happy to play an encore when requested. After the concert, everyone quickly stowed their instruments on the coach in order to hear SONNY ROLLINS perform live just down the street!
On Saturday morning the group departed Perugia and traveled to Pisa to visit the Piazza del Duomo where the famous leaning tower is located. The Cathedral and its Baptistry, along with many other historic monuments were also experienced in addition to great bargain shopping and more gelato! Later in the afternoon they traveled to Cinque Terre, referring to the five villages built on the rocky coastline of the Italian Riviera. The one mile walk up an incredibly steep hill after reaching the bottom coastline reminded the group why native Italians in this area are in exceptionally good shape and routinely live into their 90's! That night they stayed in a comfortable hotel in Sarzana, Italy.
On Sunday morning they crossed the border into France and arrived at Nice, the capital of the French Riviera. They had time to tour the city and enjoy lunch in this beautiful area sitting on the Mediterranean Sea. They then arrived at Juan Les Pins, the sight of the 50th anniversary of Europe's oldest jazz festival: "Jazz a Juan". Early that evening the jazz ensemble played their first of three concerts at the festival. This first outdoor venue, the "Petite Pinede Stage", was located directly across the street from the main concert stage and the venue hosting the nightly festival jam session. The local audience filled the concert venue despite a record heat wave for the French Riviera that sent tempatures up to 100 degrees each day! The level of appreciation not only from the audience, but also from the festival organizers was spectacular. One of the nicest compliments came from the stage manager who informed Mr. Gorrell the UCO Jazz Ensemble was one of the highest quality groups he had heard on this stage in several years!
Each night Jazz a Juan hosted a festival jam session and many members of the UCO Jazz Ensemble participated. UCO students had the opportunity to play in the jam session with top French jazz artists and even a surprise appearance by trumpeter Roy Hargrove!
On Monday some members of the group enjoyed a tour of historic Antibes while others enjoyed some free time at the beach. The jazz ensemble performed this day at the "Place de Gaulle Stage". Although a slightly smaller venue, the concert was well attended and the music was very well received. They played an extended encore and had a fabulous experience. After the concert the entire group was treated to a backstage dinner in a private area behind the "Pinede Gould Main Stage" and had the opportunity to hear acclaimed bassist Avishai Cohen and guitarist Paco de Lucia in an amazing outdoor concert with the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop.
On Tuesday, the last day before traveling home, some in the group took an excursion to Sainte Marguerite Island to visit the Fort Royal where the Man in the Iron Mask was incarcerated. Free time was then provided to enjoy swimming and other recreation. The final concert took place this evening at the "Place Nationale Stage" in old Antibes. This jazz audience was perhaps the most enthusiastic and animated of the entire tour! The audience demanded multiple encores and the band played on and on! It was a fitting farewell concert and everyone had an amazing time.
Wednesday was a long 24-hour travel day that started in Juan Les Pins and ended in Edmond Oklahoma! All 35 people that first stepped on the bus at UCO on July 12 returned home on July 21, Mission Accomplished!
There are so many people and groups to thank for their incredible support of this tour. It was a positive life changing experience for the students and everyone else involved. A very sincere word of thanks goes out to:
Dr. Roger Webb - University of Central Oklahoma President
Dr. John Clinton - College of Fine Arts & Design Dean
Dr. Gayle Kearns - College of Fine Arts & Design Associate Dean
Dr. Keith White - School of Music Director
Ms. Anne Holzberlein - Executive Director of the UCO Foundation
Dr. Kathryn Gage - Vice President for Student Affairs
Mr. David Hornbeek and the Tres Amigos
The UCO Jazz Ensemble performed an eclectic mix of modern jazz literature on this tour including: Almost Like Being in Love - Maynard Ferguson Library
Three Variations on a Theme by Paganini - Vince Norman
Rejoice - Thad Jones
Decoupage - Stan Kenton Library
There Will Never Be Another You - Stan Kenton Library
The Gathering Sky - Pat Metheny/Bob Curnow
The Joyful Noise Suite: Gladly, Sadly, Madly - Don Sebesky
Camelot - Vince Norman
It Don't Mean A Thing - Doc Severinsen Tonight Show Library
Stella By Starlight - Stan Kenton Library
Nefertiti/Idioteque - Student Arrangement by Zac Lee
And Then I Knew - Pat Metheny/Bob Curnow
Channel One Suite - Buddy Rich Library
