Georgia College & State University’s Music Department and Allied Arts held the 36th annual Art and Jazz Fest on April 26 on front campus.
GCSU’s Porter Combo opened the festival with a selection from Duke Elington and played for around 25 minutes.
“I think it brings jazz to Milledgeville,” said Clifford Towner, director of band activities. “We have a lot of people that like jazz. We don't have a jazz club. So, this festival is our opportunity to give back our jazz program to the community.”
The McComb Combo went on after the Porter Combo and played for another 25 minutes.
The combo was composed of Preston Rayburn, on saxophone, Yolanda Wright on trombone, Jacob Hall on clarinet, Gray Samowski on drums, Joey Johnson on keys, Jim McKinney on bass and Alex Humara on vocals.
Those in attendance could explore the booths set up and purchase art, photography, and jewelry. Sigma Alpha Iota, or SAI, GCSU’s professional music fraternity for women and non-binary people on campus was one of the featured tents.
“We support women through music and a whole bunch of philanthropies through music,” said Riley Greer, president of SAI and senior music education major. “This is our annual fundraiser we do.
“I don't think jazz gets to be very accessible to many people, so the fact that it's out in an open space, right next to downtown, it's a really cool way to create and express at the same time,” Greer added.
The Putnam County High School Jazz Ensemble, the Baldwin High School Jazz Band, and the Davidson Fine Arts Band performed multiple selections during the evening.
Putnam played pieces from artists, such as a piece by Bobby Timmons entitled “Moanin.” They also played a swing piece entitled “Fat Cat” and have been practicing all year to perform.
“We're playing “Bad Dog,” “Pontea,” which is a Brazilian rhythm piece and then we're closing out with “Chameleon” by Herbie Hancock,” said Thetheus White, Putnam’s band director. “I tell them that if they are proficient on their instruments, they can go anywhere they want to go and play in anybody's band, and I try to expose them to as many different styles of jazz as possible, so they'll be well rounded.”
The GCSU Alumni Band performed with Carl Allen, a world-renowned drummer, to close out the night with a few compositions written by Allen and ended with his piece entitled “Relativity.”
“I always enjoy the talented students at Georgia College,” said Helen Allen, a Milledgeville citizen. “It's amazing how beautiful the music is. They're awesome.”
The audience was offered to attend a jam session in Porter and to get a piece of Allen's birthday cake after the event ended.