The Gothic Times

Issue date: 11/25/09 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: William Wittkop Jazz saxophonist, James Moody, performing at NJCU's Margaret Williams Theatre

On October 19, famed jazz saxophonist, James Moody, performed at the Margaret Williams Theatre at NJCU. The concert was held in order to raise funds for NJCU scholarships.

Born in Savannah, Georgia and raised in Newark, New Jersey, James Moody has been one of the most consistently expressive and enduring figures in Jazz history.

He made his recording debut as a leader on James Moody and His Modernists in 1948.

Twice nominated for a Grammy Award for best Jazz musician, he has been named to the International Jazz Hall of Fame, The New Jersey Hall of Fame, and the Jamaica Hall of Fame.

The concert was kicked off by The Brecker Brothers Combo, which performed really jazzy tunes like "Some Skunk Funk" and "Lester Leaps In."

The tunes were fast, upbeat and intensely rhythmic. The performance propelled the audience back to a time when Jazz ruled the charts and Jazz musicians were considered the gods of music.

Later, the NJCU Jazz Ensemble took the stage and amazed the audience with their talent and professionalism.

Under the guidance of Dr. Edward Joffe, the ensemble played two songs, "Manteca" and "Things to Come." These jazz standards were often performed by the legendary Dizzy Gillespie, with whom James Moody worked for many years.

The theatre was packed with students, family and friends of both the student and professional performers. The musicians were greeted with thunderous applause after each performance.

But it was James Moody who was the real star of the night.

His seminal piece, "Moody's Mood for Love." was as melodic as Jazz can get. Accompanied by vocalist Kristen Dziuba, "Moody's Mood for Love" proved to be an instant hit with the crowd of long time jazz listeners.

"It's such an experience and [a] real blessing to be playing with James Moody," said Justin Hernandez, trumpet player and Jazz major who performed at the concert.

When asked how he felt working with Moody, Hernandez replied, "He is so melodic and so musical."

If you take a look at today's music world, you can easily notice that Jazz isn't what it used to be.

Chris Messina, a music education major who was volunteering for the concert said, "Jazz is very popular among students at NJCU who are majoring in music, but not so much with other students."

James Moody played with passion and energy. It was obvious that he was having the time of his life performing for the NJCU crowd. Each round of applause only added to Moody's impressive level of energy.

This performance proved just how talented and incredible our jazz program is and more importantly that Jazz is still alive and kicking.

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