What better way to get cozy on a snowy winter night than with the warm, vibrant sounds of jazz? At 6:30 p.m. on Sunday night, guests streamed into Rosse Hall, stripped off their scarves and puffer coats and settled in for an hour of music. Under the direction of Professor of Music Ted Buehrer, the members of the Kenyon Jazz Ensemble showed off their talent and teamwork in an exciting eight-song program. The ensemble featured 20 students (and Professor of Music Dane Heuchemer!) on a variety of instruments, and each student had the chance to shine with an improvisational solo or two. “Improvising is a true joy,” Audrey Gibson ’26, who plays the clarinet and baritone saxophone, wrote in an email to the Collegian. “It’s a way to experience the beauty of the world by creating the beauty of music.”
The ensemble got off to an energetic start with “À la mode” by Curtis Fuller, a fast-paced modal jazz song that set the tone for the rest of the evening. Buehrer then briefly addressed the audience, welcoming them in and thanking them for braving the weather. When he introduced the next song “Walk, Don’t Run” arranged by Quincy Jones, he provided a fascinating anecdote: Jones and the Count Basie Orchestra performed in Peirce Dining Hall in 1955.
For two of the songs, Snarky Puppy’s “Gone Under” and “Free Your Dreams,” vocalist Beija Waltmunson ’27 accompanied the musician. The lyrics of the two songs were very different — one was about heartbreak, the other about liberation and empowerment — but in both cases, her powerful voice carried beautifully, weaving in and out of the other instruments. In an email to the Collegian, pianist Khue Tran ’25 described her love for this collaborative element of playing jazz: “We learn to hear for other parts, whether it be the brasses, saxes or rhythm section, and how the melody traverses throughout many different parts and takes on new colors.”
One of the ensemble’s goals for this concert, Buehrer told the audience between songs, was to explore a diverse range of sounds and influences. “I try to make sure that we get a variety of styles and eras so that the students have the opportunity to play jazz across various boundaries,” he explained. In addition to classic jazz standards from legends like Jones, Buehrer led the ensemble through more modern pieces. A particular highlight was Jessika Smith’s “Swang.” In this blues-inspired song, the sound bounced back and forth between instruments, allowing listeners to pick up on the unique qualities of each one.
The final song of the night was an arrangement of Kenny Garrett’s “Happy People.” Buehrer delighted the audience when he picked up a trumpet and joined his students. He had to borrow Heuchemer’s instrument, confiding that he’d forgotten his own — cue much laughter. When the song ended, the entire ensemble took a bow to enthusiastic applause. “Stay warm,” Buehrer implored the crowd as they bundled back up for the cold trek home. We’re trying, Ted.