By Grace Holmes
On Tuesday Nov. 11, the Grand Rapids Community College Music Department will present Fall Jazz Night at St. Cecelia Music Center. Jazz Night occurs every semester and exhibits the main jazz groups at GRCC. Students are encouraged to attend for free with their GRCC ID.
The event will feature two jazz groups, Jazz Ensemble directed by Hannah MacGillivray and Shades of Blue directed by Jed Scott. “Shades of Blue, it’s a small group. It’s only seven people,” revealed Aaron Wheeler, 21, who is a part of the group.
While Wheeler, of Grand Rapids, had more experience with choral music, and grew up in that environment, he said, “I’m really liking jazz.” He is getting his degree in music and is planning to pursue it beyond GRCC.
“I wanted to branch out, because I had never done jazz before,” said Wheeler, who joined the group last winter semester.
Wheeler shared that while other music performances may seem more straightforward, Jazz Night is a different experience than other music events. He feels that “jazz makes a more intimate feeling, musically.”
For those who are thinking about going, they “can look forward to a concert of instrumental and vocal performances that encompass a wide array of time periods and style,” said Shannon Shaker, an assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands via email.
“People should come to Jazz Night!” Wheeler said.
