Remember that famous scene in “Citizen Kane," in which the title character decides he wants to have an all-star newspaper staff—and hires one, en masse?
The musical equivalent unfolded Monday night at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, where Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music unveiled its all-star jazz faculty—newly hired, en masse.
Suddenly, Northwestern's jazz department, which never commanded much of a national profile, was reaching for the big leagues. And though it obviously takes more than a high-powered faculty to build a major academic center, the debut concert showed that Northwestern for the first time has put major resources into jazz.
Even if you didn't know the players were such leading figures as reedist Victor Goines, drummer Herlin Riley and pianist Peter Martin, the music they made would have underscored the prowess of the enterprise. These artists, who performed for a nearly sold-out house, could hold their own against practically any sextet in jazz today
The musical equivalent unfolded Monday night at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, where Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music unveiled its all-star jazz faculty—newly hired, en masse.
Suddenly, Northwestern's jazz department, which never commanded much of a national profile, was reaching for the big leagues. And though it obviously takes more than a high-powered faculty to build a major academic center, the debut concert showed that Northwestern for the first time has put major resources into jazz.
Even if you didn't know the players were such leading figures as reedist Victor Goines, drummer Herlin Riley and pianist Peter Martin, the music they made would have underscored the prowess of the enterprise. These artists, who performed for a nearly sold-out house, could hold their own against practically any sextet in jazz today
For more information contact All About Jazz.
