'Future of Jazz' jams at Waldron

The sound of tapping feet and the strum of the bass filled the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center auditorium Sunday evening.

The John Waldron Center collaborated with WFIU and Jazz from Bloomington, an organization devoted to educating children on jazz music, for its 10th annual Future of Jazz Concert.

Organized to showcase the talents of young jazz artists, the concert also featured special guest performer Wayne Wallace.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this community,” Wallace said. “It nurtures music and allows it to thrive.”

Beginning at 6 p.m., the concert featured classic jazz songs as well as more modern adaptations. Admission was $10.

First to take the stage was Jazz for Bloomington’s Middle School All Stars.  

The ensemble consisted of two saxophone players, four trumpet players, a guitarist, pianist, bassist and drummer.

The All Stars played “Shuffle Time” by Jamey Abersold and “Blue Bossa” by Kenny Dorham.

There was a variety in the tempo of songs performed by each group.

The Bloomington High School South Combo played the gradual composition “A Night in Tunisia” by Dizzy Gillespie and Wes Montgomery’s “Road Song.”

Students participating in the concert had the opportunity to perform with Wallace. A lifelong jazz trombone musician, Wallace has been nominated for five Grammys and specializes in Latin Jazz.

He has also played with the likes of Ray Charles and Earth, Wind and Fire. After playing his first song, “Footprints,” with Monika Herzig on piano, Anna Butters on bass and Chris Parker on the drums, Wallace thanked the organization for teaching jazz to children.

Wallace finished his set with Miles Davis’ “Sola” and Duke Ellington’s “Cottontail.”
After Wallace’s first performance, Jazz from Bloomington gave out two awards.

The first award, the Al Cobine Award for outstanding achievements in jazz in South Central Indiana, was given to Neil Ferris. Janis M. Stockhouse received the second, the Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Hero Award.

After the award presentations came the Bloomington High School North Trio, with Christina Dragnea on tenor sax, Matt Waterman on piano and trombone, and Philip Wailes playing the bass.

The trio performed “The Space Between” by Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker and “Be Still My Beating Heart” by Sting.

The concert ended with a jam session that included everyone.

“Just to get it all out,” Wallace said.