Profs show their talents at jazz concerts

By Tracy Rhines
The Metropolitan

If you automatically think of jazz as calm and relaxing, then this concert was not for you.  The performance in question was by percussionist Greg Carroll and his New Karma Quartet, who took their audience on a musical journey.

The New Karma Quartet was actually a sextet for this performance Sept. 12 at the University of Denverâs Lamont School of Music. It consisted of a group of highly talented educators and performers, including bassist Artie Moore, drummer Matt Houston, saxophonist Tom Myer, pianist Greg Dyes and trumpeter Hugh Ragin. Carroll played the vibes, marimba, and various other percussion instruments. 

The eveningâs bill mainly consisted of pieces composed by local artists,  including two original pieces by Carroll, who is the director of Jazz Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

One of his pieces was Shavewo, Zimbabwean for ãthe talented one.ä

The musicians handed out shakers to the audience for the piece, allowing it to get involved. Together, they brought the concert space to a roaring crescendo of sound, allowing Carroll to make full use of his percussion arsenal. Other compositions utilized the complete emotional range. The band played tunes incorporating the sultry sounds of the bass, sax, piano, and vibes, reverberating them off the brassy timbre of the trumpet and drums.  With each player delivering heartfelt solos and wonderful accompaniment, the blend was electrifying.

The entire evening crackled with an energetic vibe. These truly talented musicians subdued the conscious mind, inspiring awe in those of us who are instrumentally challenged.

The concert was co-produced by DU and Creative Music Works. CMW is a local all-volunteer organization devoted to giving young people the chance to experience live music and alternative jazz, said Alex Lemski, CMWâs president.