bOp! Gives Robsham Crowd High Fever

Anyone who was part of the crowd at the bOp!arazzi show Saturday night was reminded of the incredible talent and passion for music that exists among the elite group of students that make up the BC bOp! jazz ensemble. From the glossy and clever programs to the sound and video recording system, this group is thoroughly professional and polished. The variety of styles, including both vocal and instrumental jazz, kept the energy level high throughout the entire set and demonstrated the groups' prowess with many different techniques.

What everyone initially expects from a bOp! concert are great instrumental jazz classics, and the group certainly delivered on that front. Starting off the show with a bang was "Sing Sang Sung" which featured the first of many fantastic trumpet solos by Steve Bass, A&S '11, and a clarinet interlude by Rachel Schmit, A&S '12. Other rousing, big band style selections, including "Have You Met Miss Jones" and "Better Git It In Your Soul," were interspersed throughout the show.

The solo breaks and ensemble performances in these instrumental sections contain the many surprises and twists that set the bOp! musicians apart. Only through true mastery of their instrument are the quirks of individual players able to come through and add another layer to the performance. The brass section players are not the only ones who have an opportunity for solos in bOp! as the backbone instrumentalists in guitar, bass, drums, and piano bring excitement to the stage through their own solos as well, which is an often underused feature of jazz ensembles. The bass intro in "Better Git It In Your Soul" is the perfect example of how bOp! creatively used all the talent within the group.

The vocal performances, whether combined with the band or a cappella, brought even more range of style to the show. Beginning with the Bassa Nova "Desafinado," the vocalists demonstrated how well they could blend with each other and the band, which could have easily overpowered the five voices. The balance of the vocalists was put to the test in the seasonal selection of an a cappella rendition of "Danny Boy." Featuring Jennifer Yoo, A&S '12, as the soprano soloist, this heartfelt and moving Irish ballad was definitely one of the highlights of the evening, as a piece that was both beautiful and impressively complex for the vocalists.

Other, more traditional jazz pieces included "I Could Write a Book" and "Around the World," which were returns to form for both the vocalists and instrumentalists. These crowd favorites, originally made popular by the likes of Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, are the foundation for groups like bOp! to expand upon. What sets bOp! apart from other run of the mill jazz ensembles is their ability to not only master these old standards, but also to think outside of the box, with songs like the rhythm-heavy "Stoned Soul Picnic," or the more modern and harmonically complex "Songbird."

Not only does bOp! showcase the talents of the ensemble, but it also allows for individual performers to shine through during solos and other features of songs. Bass, lead trumpet, had four impressively improvised solos during the course of the evening and arranged one of the ensemble pieces, and Jeanette Hall, lead vocalist, was featured with backing piano and percussion for a haunting version of Tom Waits' "The Briar and the Rose." The ensemble leaders should be allowed to have the spotlight at least once during a show, and bOp! does well to recognize their individual achievements. The mix of solos and ensemble work also created a diversity that kept up the steady momentum of the show.

The outstanding solo performance of the night came from baritone Brendan -Quinn, A&S '11, whose performance of "Fever" displayed a mature, yet subtle and controlled voice and an undeniable stage presence. This vocal tour de force would've given the likes of Michael Buble and Harry Connick, Jr. a run for their money. The individual talent in this group is astounding.

The bOp! ensemble should be a source of pride for the bands' department, the music department, and the University in general. The individual and collective talent that thrives under the guidance of veteran conductor Sebastian Bonaiuto and vocal director JoJo David continues to earn the group national recognition and bring great music to BC.