Jacob's ensemble charms crowd

The IU Jazz Ensemble performed its fourth concert of the fall semester Monday in the Musical Arts Center.

Their performance, lead by director David Baker, featured works by composers Nat Adderley, Benny Golson, Bill Holman and Dizzy Gillespie.

Baker, a distinguished professor at the Jacobs School of Music, is now the topic of a new book, “David Baker: A Legacy in Music.” The book’s release will coincide with a concert and book signing on Nov. 6.

Members of the ensemble rehearse three times a week for two hours at a time for each performance.

Beyond that, students practice in sections on their own time, senior guitarist Joel Tucker said.

“A lot of the preparation is on our own,” Taylor said. “We have to prepare a lot before rehearsals.”

Tucker played a guitar solo during the concert’s opening piece, entitled “Work Song” by late jazz saxophone player Nat Adderley.

“I’d have to say it is my favorite piece,” Tucker said. “It was rerecorded in the ’70s, so the sound is very electronic.”

Senior Joseph Presnell was in the audience for the event and said it was “upbeat and smooth.”

Between most songs for the evening, Baker spoke to the audience about each song’s history and even caused a good deal of laughter from the audience.

The audience laughed when Baker, after attempting to explain the history of “Well you Needn’t” by Thelonious Monk, gave up and called it “too confusing to explain.”

Baker allowed the ensemble to play on its own for much of the performance while under his watchful eye.

The ensemble’s next performance will be at 8 p.m. Oct. 31 under the direction of Brent Wallarab.

— Derrick Naylor