Caine Jazz Combo Performing Entire Miles Davis Record

Utah State University’s Caine Jazz Combo, a scholarship group for jazz musicians in the Department of Music, presents an evening of music that includes the selections found on Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” recording. The combo performs at Why Sound, located at 30 Federal Avenue in downtown Logan, Monday, April 15, at 8 p.m.

“This is a tall order for students because these works are challenging and the goal is to make this performance as authentic as possible,” said Max Matzen, assistant professor in the Caine College of the Arts and advisor of the group. “The ‘Kind of Blue’ record is one of the most monumental records in jazz; it forever altered the trajectory of the style. The students in the group have put in a lot of hard work and they have risen to the occasion.”

Comprised of seven students this year, the Caine Jazz Combo group was given the opportunity by Matzen to choose what this semester would hold for them — they could either perform an entire record or choose a jazz musician and perform their works. Immediately, the students chose to perform “Kind of Blue” and have been preparing for the concert since January.

“They are really great students, it’s fulfilling as a teacher to see their hard work and motivation to become better,” said Matzen.

The Caine Jazz Combo includes students who auditioned for the group at the beginning of the academic year. Generally, the group includes seven students, one each from the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar, acoustic bass, drums and piano emphasis areas. Members are supported by scholarships from the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation — Russell Family.

Each student will perform the part of various musicians who recorded the album with Miles Davis and have spent the semester not only learning the music, but learning about their character as well. Erik Horne (trumpet) will play Miles Davis, Mike Benson (saxophone) will play Cannonball Adderley, Tom Call (trombone) will play John Coltrane, Jaron Putnam (piano) will play Wynton Kelly, Dominic Walker (guitar) will play Bill Evans, Thomas Pratt (Bass) will play Paul Chambers and Colin Jensen (drums) will play Jimmy Cobb.

Tickets for the Caine Jazz Combo Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” performance are $5 at the door. The performance at Why Sound, begins at 8 p.m. and will be recorded. For more information, contact the Caine College of the Arts Box Office in room 139-B of the Chase Fine Arts Center, call 435-797-8022 or see the college’s Production Services website.

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Writer: Kara Rindlisbacher, 435-797-9203, kara.rindlisbacher@usu.edu

Contact: Denise Albiston, 435-797-1500, denise.albiston@usu.edu