From the practice and rehearsal rooms of the Hall of Music to the stage of Chism Hall, members of the Whitman jazz ensembles are prepared to share with students, staff and the community their passion through the improvised world of jazz music.

Through the eyes of a jazz musician, performances are no different than ensemble practices, apart from the presence of an audience. Whitman musicians take advantage of these performance opportunities to display their skills as a soloist and as an important component of a larger ensemble.

“A performance simply allows us to share the great music we make with others,” said sophomore Ross Eustis, a trumpet player in Jazz Ensemble I.

As the drummer of Jazz Ensemble I, senior Jack Mountjoy also regards a performance “as a great culmination of everything the band has been working on for the past few weeks.”

A substantial part of all jazz performances are solos, which enable individual ensemble members to demonstrate their capabilities as a musician while jazzing up the performance with complicated rhythms and harmonious chord progressions.

“[Solos] are somewhat nerve-racking, especially as the drummer,” said Mountjoy.

Contrary to popular belief, solos are not predetermined by the musician.

“The largest misconception people have about soloing is that it is preconceived or memorized. This is rarely or never the case. When a jazz artist solos, it is improvisation: spontaneous, in the moment, intrinsically creative,” said Eustis.

Soloists are initially directed by chord recommendations, but what follows is an orchestrated presentation of unbridled imagination: chaotic, but at the same time, musically appealing.

“Improvising is almost an out-of-body experience. It is the perfect combination of the left and right side of the brain […] a combination between mathematics and emotion or creativity,” said Eustis, a frequent soloist.

While individual members set the standards for class expectations and performances, Director of Jazz Studies Dave Glenn conducts the ensembles, shaping and working out the rough patches.

“What I love about Dave is that he is not just a professor: he is a jazz musician and has been for most of his life,” said junior Kevin McCoy, a saxophone player in Jazz Ensemble I.

From his former years as a jazz musician in New York City, Glenn’s experiences have led him to be a revered mentor and teacher to the students of the jazz ensembles.

“Dave really knows how to direct a jazz band, thanks to his years of experience playing in and directing professional bands. Whitman is really lucky to have him,” said Mountjoy.

Initially inspired by Miles Davis, Glenn describes his induction to the world of jazz as an “epiphany.”

Glenn’s father, a jazz musician, was also a source of inspiration.

Glenn’s passion for jazz music derives from a cultivated reverence for the world of music, fond childhood memories and an appreciation for the freedom of expression one encounters through such an artistic venue.

“Jazz is one of the greatest contributions that this country has given to the world of music […] one in which you use every aspect of the human intellect,” said Glenn.

While the jazz ensemble members genuinely regard practice as a time to relax and play a little jazz music, Glenn has high expectations of his students.

“I treat them like professionals and expect them to have their parts down,” said Glenn.

He adds that “the individual members have their own expectations of themselves.”

“The ensembles are prepared,” Glenn said confidently. “There are a few spots of concern, but Whitman students always come through at the last minute: it’s one of those things that drive me crazy.”