Mukta Pillai

Science Editor

On Friday, March 7, The College of Wooster Jazz Ensemble and The College of Wooster Jazz Combo held a joint performance at Freelander Theatre at 7:30 p.m. They were joined by guest performer and saxophonist Chris Coles, a member of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and visiting professor of Jazz Studies at Oberlin College. The ensemble was conducted by Jeffrey Lindberg, professor of music and director of the Wooster Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble. The concert showcased individual performances from both groups.

The ensemble kicked off the concert with renditions of “Tank!” and “Schwiphti” from “Suite Thursday.” The jazz combo followed this with two more songs: “Just A-Sittin’ and A-Rockin’” and “Down for Double.”  But that’s not all — The Jazz Combo performed the popular, “I Wish You Love,” “Out of Nowhere” and the classic song “Autumn Leaves.” Coles joined in spontaneously for “Out of Nowhere,” receiving praise from the audience. 

“The program showed off a lot of the strengths of the jazz band,” ensemble singer Hannah Reinicke ’26 said. “I particularly enjoyed the differences in styles between each song, and I really couldn’t decide which of them was my favorite.”

The Jazz Ensemble, along with Coles, performed “Senator Sam,” “Manteca,” “Blues in the Closet,” “Isfahan” and “Cosmology (Solar).” The concert’s final piece was Nina Simone’s “Sister Sadie.”

The concert also debuted the Ling family piano, which was donated to the music department this year, and was played throughout the jazz concert by Noah McDonald ’26. The piano was dedicated to the family of Stuart Ling, former Scot Marching Band and Symphonic Band director, founder of the Wooster Jazz Band and composer of “Are You From Wooster?” which has been played at the College’s sporting events. Ling passed away in 2008.

“Friday evening’s Jazz Ensemble/Jazz Combo concert was very special,” Lindberg said.“Soloist Chris Coles was incredibly easy to work with. He performed magnificently, inspiring the members of the ensemble to play their best, and the inaugural performance of the Ling family piano in Freedlander Theatre was the ‘icing on the cake.’”.

“I really enjoyed the jazz ensemble concert,” audience member Anakha Shah ’27 said. “It was fun to see the variety of soloists, including the very talented and entertaining guest artist.”