BC bOp!-ing out of doors

The sweet sound of brass instruments over a cool breeze mingled with the aroma of pasta and meatballs Wednesday night. No, this was no piazza in Italy, it was the BC bOp! concert in front of Vanderslice Hall and Corcoran Commons.

BC bOp! is a nationally ranked jazz ensemble that is asked to play annually at vacation resorts and famous music halls around the country. Every year it receives high ranking for both the music and vocal ensembles in competitions.

Students gathered around the outside of the dining hall under the cool autumn sky as the jazz band played a free and, more importantly, excellent show. People sat huddled in blankets with their friends against the walls or dined on the outside tables as bOp! played classic pieces that eased academic stress for a few hours.

Students were especially enthusiastic as "Jump, Jive an' Wail" played; some kids even got up and showed off their spectacular dance moves. Usually when this song is played, people reminisce back to the late '20s, but our generation naturally thinks back to big bad '98 when the Brian Setzer Orchestra covered this song and swing came back for a year or so.

The band also played "Route 66," which was a hit with the audience. The singers' voices floated melodiously over the pavement as feet tapped and hips swayed. The crowd got larger as the night went on, ending up with a healthy showing for the mid-week event.

The evening was an overall huge success as the crowd was large and a petition for the building of a performing arts center was signed by many. Fortunately, there are a number of opportunities to hear bOp! again soon, as the group is playing Oct. 14 at Carney's at 8 p.m. and Nov. 4 on Newton Campus at 8 p.m. for all of those freshmen who don't feel like taking the bus to Main Campus.

If you're interested in hearing more music like BC bOp!, there are many jazz clubs in the area to check out, such as Ryle's Jazz Club in Cambridge, Sculler's Jazz Club, and Wally's Café in the South End.