By invitation, the eight-member ensemble performed in Vienna for JAM LAB University’s Erasmus Conference, doing master classes with some of Europe’s most acclaimed music educators.
Anderson’s Jazz Fusion Ensemble was formed by Commercial Music students at the South Carolina School of the Arts. According to Music Professor Dr. Derick Cordoba, the AU Jazz Fusion Ensemble was the only group from the U.S. invited to perform at the prestigious conference. JAM LAB offers the only accredited commercial music program in Europe.
“We got to perform on Friday night at a concert… They did an amazing job,” said Cordoba, who led the trip. “Not only did we get all these master classes and get to play in their facilities, we got to tour their music production facilities for movie recording and video game composing. We have a memorandum of understanding with the school, so students in the future will be able to take summer classes there for credit.”
“This is something I definitely wanted to do, and it’s even better that I got to go with my friends and my peers that I work with closely to make music,” said Kate Strickland, who plays electric violin in the group.
Kate Strickland and Nathan Freeman on stage.
Ensemble member Dalvin Gray got to play for an Italian band attending the conference, filling in for their drummer. Gray recalls he fit right into the group, citing music as a universal language.
“The way that we can all come in together and just mesh as one and have that uniform sound is just incredible,” Gray said. “My favorite memory is getting to meet a lot of the students over there who have played with or are on projects with big inspirations of mine. This one guy over there, Adrian Varday, was signed to Quincy Jones at 11 and played in his band for a while. Getting to meet him and hear his backstory and just getting to hang out with him—we connected instantly as soon as we met.”
Dalvin Gray, right, playing drums with a group from Italy.
“I do not speak German. I do not speak Italian… but I knew if we reached a solo section and I looked at somebody and they nodded at me, it was my turn. It’s a really coolcollaborative experience,” Strickland said. “I view music and cultural exchange as a mission opportunity of going, this is how I see the world, and I hope that you see Jesus in me to the point where you ask me why I am the way that I am.”
Gray will never forget interacting with musicians in Vienna who had a natural ability to play as if they’ve been jamming together for many years.
“That was literally my biggest memory, having that connection with everyone, knowing that we can make great music and also just be connected through music, because that is the universal language,” Gray said.
The AU Fusion Ensemble also got to perform at two of Vienna’s top jazz venues.
“That was a really unique experience for the students because it was something only a local jazz musician would really be able to do,” said Cordoba.
Olivia Burdette on keyboard with Duncan Stone on guitar in the background.
“The jazz scene there is absolutely phenomenal,” Strickland continued. “There are so many people there playing jazz and teaching jazz and just speaking that language to each other. I saw people when we were playing at jazz clubs coming up to me and being like, ‘wow, you sound great. This is awesome. Will you be back tomorrow?’”
Cordoba said, “We had a great time and the schools really enjoyed working with American jazz students. They were very excited for that since the U.S. is where jazz was basically born.” He added that Professor Greg Alewine played a key role in preparation for the trip, rehearsing the ensemble, guiding them in selecting their repertoire and leading in fundraising concerts.
Music Professor Derick Cordoba speaking on the microphone. At left is Braden Anderson on bass and at right is Nathan Freeman on trumpet.
If you’re interested in hearing the AU Jazz Fusion Ensemble play, they will be in concert April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Daniel Recital Hall of the Rainey Fine Arts Center on the Anderson University campus.
