IU jazz supports Katrina victims

A dream came true. Money was raised for Hurricane Katrina refugees and a jazz great displayed his pupils' talents in an all-star cast Monday night at "A Benefit for New Orleans: The Cradle of Jazz." The concert was not only a big hit with attendees, but it was a wonderful display of compassion and a tribute to a city in need by a world-class music institution. \nAlain Barker, the IU School of Music Media Relations Director, said 1,000 people attended the event, and it brought in about $15,500 for the New Orleans branch of the American Red Cross. The school will continue to take donations for the Red Cross with a box at the MAC through Oct. 30. \nBloomington's treasure, IU distinguished professor of music David Baker, led one of IU's jazz ensembles through what he referred to as an eclectic program of songs. IU alumna Sylvia McNaire and IU distinguished professor of music Timothy Noble chimed in when called upon and the songs ran the jazz gamut of the 20th century. \nAnd while the famed stars were the older folks of the stage as Noble and Baker jokingly pointed out, Baker would not take attention and merit away from the students he directs. At one point he mentioned how especially proud he was of the band. The ensemble put in many hours of practice and extra work to get it right on short notice, he said. Nate Sutton, an IU graduate student of jazz studies and trombone player, said the band was extremely happy it could do something concrete to help in the aftermath of Katrina. \n"We are really relishing this opportunity to do a real special fund-raiser," he said. "It shows a great faith in the subject matter we are covering. We are going to create a moment of beauty."\nBaker pointed out prior to the show that Sutton's feelings are not unique.\n"Most musicians are wonderfully compassionate people," he said.\nThe compassion came through in the playing over the course of 2 1/2 hours. Comparing New Orleans' jazz heritage and its effects on the IU Jazz Ensemble, Baker referenced tentacles springing out from an octopus into its garden. The garden, IU's jazz ensemble, then bloomed throughout the evening despite the band only returning five members from last year. The show opened with Baker's original "The Cotton Club Revisited," with the director energized by his own creation. The counting off, snapping motions were precise and defined -- the ensemble and Baker were clearly in their element on stage.\nAfter a nice rendition of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic "June is Busting Out All Over," the famed baritone Timothy Noble hit the stage. Completely joyous, swinging and swaying back and forth in unison with the beat, Noble sang a gorgeous version of "Fly Me to the Moon," penned by Bart Howard and Quincy Jones. The opera and classical music star then joked with the audience, capturing the spirit of the night. \n"This is much more fun than opera," he said. \nNoble followed that up with the Cole Porter classic, "I Get a Kick Out of You," noting Porter's Indiana roots in the process. Finishing the song, the band played one more ditty then give way to the other special guest of the evening, two-time Grammy-award winner Sylvia McNaire. Humbled, gracious and thrilled to be on the stage with Baker, McNaire spoke of her excitement on stage. \n"I've wanted to do this since I was born. I've dreamt of singing with a David Baker jazz band for years and years and years and years," she said. Her voice trailed off in disbelief as that dream then came true. \nDisplaying her vocal range with a dedication to Ella Fitzgerald, McNaire wowed the crowd with the Walter Hirsch and Fred Rose song "Deed I Do." Following it up with "Lazy Afternoon," the musicians displayed how gifted they are. Because McNaire lives in New Jersey, she hadn't practiced these arrangements with the band until today, Sutton said.\nHow they were able to slow down the tempo yet stay in complete sync during the slow section of "Lazy Afternoon" made it clear why McNaire blew kisses to the ensemble following the piece. She realized they had nailed the song. The thunderous applause of the audience indicated this as well -- a type of ovation which continued throughout the remainder of the show, only gaining strength as it progressed. It even carried over into the intermission where jazz musicians playing in the lobby treated patrons to a version of "When the Saints Go Marching In." \nSecond set highlights included McNaire and pianist Luke Gillespie's version of the classic "Over the Rainbow," and one of Baker's all-time favorite arrangements, "Grace." While all soloists throughout the evening were impressive, it was during "Grace" that tenor saxophonist Sophie Faught illustrated the passion of New Orleans jazz music through her solo. Her knees slightly bent, her eyes closed, Faught showcased her talent as the band's youngest and only female member. \nMcNaire and Noble appropriately finished out the night with Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone," a fitting tribute to the residents of New Orleans. \nWhen asked how they felt about the night's performance, IU School of Music graduate students and Hurricane Katrina victims Tyrone Hayes and Ebonee Davis couldn't have seemed happier.\nSmiles on their faces, enjoying their new home, Hayes beamed about the \nbenefit, "Awesome … It was amazing"