Boilermaker Jazz Band, October 23, 2010

Personally, I think that the swing era is the creative highlight of the development of jazz, but that's just me.  On Friday and Saturday, October 22 and 23, the Boilermaker Jazz Band that came to the PA Consort's Guest Artist Series from Pittsburgh proved that point of view to my satisfaction and then some. 

The Friday afternoon concert at Everett High School, set up by band director Dan Atwood for the band members, was a fun and educational experience.  Paul Cosentino and three of his band members ran through the development of jazz in the 1920s and 1930s with lively examples and also fascinated the audience with the particular way that jazz uses instruments.  The clarinet players learned about a whole range they hadn't learned yet; the bass player showed them how to "slap" the bass; the pianist played amazing improvisations on the keyboard; and the drummer illustrated the sounds made by different sticks and brushes.  Bandleader Paul Cosentino played both clarinet and sax and even danced with his singer to illustrate a swing step. The kids learned a lot while being highly entertained. 

The heavy turnout on Saturday night proved what a draw the Boilermaker Jazz Band is, and the audience got its money's worth.  A trombonist joined the group, and the joint was jumping.  There were lots of favorites of mine, such as Gershwin's "Our Love is Here to Stay", "I May Be Wrong But I Think You're Wonderful," and Benny Goodman's "Rose Room."  Erin, the singer, belted out "Goody Goody" and gave a sweet rendition of "You Belong to Me." The Boilermakers played Ellington, Xavier Cugat, more Gershwin, and many more, and ended up with a full-out and complicated piece by Jango Reinhart that brought the house down.  What a spectacular evening it was! 

The Boilermaker Jazz Band, here for its second appearance in Bedford, is an energetic  ensemble of very talented professional musicians who can teach as well as play.  They're personable, well-trained, and clearly loving what they do.  They brought a long-ago era to life with skill and enthusiasm.