Jazz concert begins celebration

Jazz fans of all ages gathered last night at the IU Auditorium to witness a concert in honor of IU President Adam Herbert. The concert kicked off the inauguration ceremonies for Herbert, who will be officially sworn in Friday.\nIU Director of Jazz Studies David Baker, who played the cello, and University of North Florida director of jazz studies Bunky Green, who played the saxophone, were the featured musicians at the concert. Both Baker and Green are friends of Herbert's. Bruce Bransby on the bass, Assistant Professor of Jazz and Classical Piano Luke Gillespie on the piano and Visiting Associate Professor Steve Houghton on the drums completed the quintet. \nThe concert began with the group playing "Wordsong." Each musician was given the chance to showcase his talents exclusively with little accompaniment, beginning with a long saxophone solo by Green. Baker, Gillespie and Bransby all followed Green, and each was met with audience applause.\nThe group's next song, which Baker said was mostly associated with Duke Ellington, was "Satin Doll." Slightly slower than the first song, "Satin Doll" allowed for each performer to display his talents with a cello standout by Baker, followed by Green, Bransby and Houghton all showcasing their skills on their instruments. \nGreen then addressed the audience about his relationship with Herbert, saying, "Your president is a very dear friend."\n"He was the man who caused me to start dreaming again," he said. "Dreams are the stuff reality is flashing from."\nHis personal tribute to Herbert came in "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," accompanied by Gillespie on the piano. All eyes were on Green and Gillespie as they were the only two performers on stage for the song.\nAll five performers reconvened for the songs "Blue Blossom" and "Anthropology."\nWhile the concert was in honor of Herbert, audience members had various reasons for attending the celebratory event.\nJunior Kelly Starewicz said the concert was a good idea because it showed students part of Herbert's personality.\nBloomington residents Jo and Gene Gilbertson said they attended the concert because "it's great talent," Gene said.\n"It's a nice way of formally welcoming the president here," Jo Gilbertson said. "It's nice to be part of the festivities."\nJo Gilbertson said she believed the concert was a "wonderful idea."\n"I really think jazz is a music that touches everybody," she said. "Jazz also makes people feel comfortable."\n-- Contact staff writer Laura Kruty at lkruty@indiana.edu.