ITG 2001 Conference -Student Jazz Improv. Comp.

John Irish, Reporter
The long-awaited student jazz improvisation competition finally arrived following an awe-inspiring concert by Tiger

Pat Harbison, Chair

Okoshi. Pat Harbison, chair of the committee, opened with words of introduction and thanks. Accolades went to the wonderful accompanying trio of Luke Gillespie-piano; Tyrone Wheeler-bass; and Jason Tiemann, drums. Thanks also go out to the Jamey Aebersold Jazz folks for underwriting the financial assistance required to hire the back-up trio. He also thanked the Karl Kletsch Memorial Fund for help in sponsoring the jazz competition.

Judges for the event were Tiger Okoshi, Eddie Severn, and Ingrid Jensen. After casting lots for order of appearance, the competition was underway with Steve Thomas going first. Thomas, a student of Bob Lark in Chicago opened his set with “September in the Rain.” His soulful rendition started the tune after which he opened up and played all over the horn with a big, full sound. The evening was off to a stunning start. Thomas then played the ballad Portrait of Jenny dedicated to his sister in the audience, also named Jenny. He demonstrated a beautiful approach to the piece with lyrical expression that fit very well. After a bass solo, Thomas returned to the tune and

Steve Thomas, Tie for Second

ended with an extended solo cadenza. Freddie Hubbard’s Up Jumped Spring, a jazz waltz, was next. His very thoughtful solo evolved into a series of runs that burned up the stage. Piano and (bowed) bass solos led to a return of the head and closed out his set to a cheering audience.

The next competitor was Nate Botts, a student of David Brown from Provo, Utah. He began with an introductory

Nathan Botts, Tie for Second

cadenza leading into Polka Dots and Moonbeams. His cadenza set the tone for his set—one of great command of the instrument allowing him to play a wide-range of solo statements. In a medium-swing style, the tune progressed stylishly with a prodigious amount of solo ideas from all players. Botts then performed an original tune conceived on a spiritual theme, Gardens and Groves, a modern ballad lush with flugelhorn. During the piano solo Botts played a cup-muted trumpet obligato but finished out his lyrical work on flugelhorn. The classic Stella by Starlight was the final number in this set. Done in a very fast up-tempo swing, Botts lit it up with cascades of runs and quick lines over the entire range of the horn. An energetic piano solo was followed with Botts trading fours with the drummer. An impressive closing solo cadenza on the trumpet ended the set with a stirring round of applause from the appreciative listeners.

The last finalist was Amir El Saffar from Brooklyn, New York who studies with John McNeil. Starting with John Coltrane’s Moment’s Notice, Saffar’s fluid series of runs and criss-crossing lines made for an exciting beginning. His brilliant sound permeated the room to the delight of the crowd. A Latin-tinged Alone Together featured highly idiomatic playing from all four performers. More invention in his solos flowed forth building to an exciting

crescendo of energy. After a return to the head, he went into an extended coda complete with wide interval leaps and a series of trilled lines. A long solo cadenza segued into the ballad You Don’t Know What Love Is. His beautiful sound and evocative solo passages were heard throughout the piece. A fiery, very fast version of Softly as in a Morning Sunrise closed out his set. In this tune, which moved at the speed of light, he explored possibilities

Amir El Saffar, First Place

all over the horn with fast-moving lines throughout the complete range of the trumpet.

All three contestants gave thoughtful, artistic music statements in addition to their dazzling solo lines, enviable technique and great sounds. The future of young jazz soloists is definitely bright judging from the high quality of performances given by all of the finalists in the jazz competition.