Program

Selections to be announced on stage from the following:

THAD JONES

A Child is Born

STELLA SOKOLOWSKI

Angela

WAYNE SHORTER

Black Nile

El Guacho

ROY HARGROVE

Strasbourg-St.Denis

JOHN COLTRANE

Moment's Notice

BOBBY HUTCHERSON

'Til Then

ORNETTE COLEMAN

Turnaround

LEE MORGAN

Ceora

Event Info

The Princeton University Jazz 'Ensemble X' performs under the direction of master bassist Matthew Parrish.

Established in 2017, Princeton University’s Small Group X brings student musicians together in the Art Blakey small group style of improvisation and interaction. The small group has a special, creative bond where they have to depend on each other’s musical instincts. Art Blakey is best known as a big band drummer, but his small group leadership set the bar for creative expression coupled with group cohesion where every musical piece is a well-crafted, but free-flowing, natural work. .

The selections on this program offer a variety of styles and moods, from Lee Morgan’s Latin-based composition, Ceora, to Thad Jones and Alec Wilder’s popular ballad, A Child is Born, to John Coltrane’s improvisational, cutting edge Moment’s Notice. The musical works are mainly from the 1950s – 1960s, where these pieces set high artistic standards for future jazz bands. One work that exemplifies the free-flowing mood is Wayne Shorter’s Black Nile, where he literally was striving to evoke the feeling of a massive river’s route and flow. Also from Wayne Shorter, El Gaucho is from his Adam’s Apple album where one gets to experience the rare occurrence of Wayne Shorter as the only horn player in the quartet. Collectively, Small Group X hopes the audience experiences the same excitement and fun that the group has on stage as they bond musically with each other and you, the listeners.

Diego Zamalloa-Chion ’22, Violin
Kakuyon Mataeh ’23, Trumpet
Michael Watson ’21, Tenor Saxophone
Olivia Hadley ’21, Trombone and Vocal
Ned Furlong ’21, Piano
Stella Sokolowski ’21, Guitar and Vocal
Simon Rosen ’22, Bass
Vincent Pagano ’22, Drums

Free and open to all. No tickets required.