Students Perform at Cambridge Jazz Club

Four Groton groups performed to a packed house of Groton graduates, parents, faculty, students, friends, and Cambridge locals. First a small student jazz combo, Purple Haze, played the standards "Blue Bossa" and "Autumn Leaves," as well as the rock-influenced "Cold Duck Time." Sixth Former Philippe Heitzmann, the alto player featured on "Blue Bossa," had never played a musical instrument before coming to Groton three years ago; on Sunday, he soloed with the combo.  

 

Next, the slightly larger combo, Riverside—featuring Michael Ma ’15 on soprano saxophone, Malik Jabati ’15 on alto sax, Eddie Uong ’17 on tenor sax, Drew Bassilakis ’16 on guitar, Zahin Das ’16 on keyboard, Angus Warren ’16 on bass, and Steven Anton ’16 on drums—played a longer set, featuring standards such as "Jeannine" and "Songs for my Father" and straying outside the jazz canon for a classic Doors hit, "Riders on the Storm." They closed with a beautiful rendition of the Ellington tune, "In a Sentimental Mood," performed by only the rhythm section and Michael Ma on soprano sax.

 

Next the Charisma Sax Quartet, featuring Michael Ma, Malik Jabati, Eddie Uong, and Randeep Grewal ’18, played a set that included Coltrane's "Blue Train" and the classic Joplin Rag "The Entertainer."

 

Finally, Groton’s big band, Soul Sauce, rocked the house with a set that included "Hay Burner" by Sammy Nestico, "Groovin' Hard" by Don Menza, "Quintessence" by Quincy Jones, "Superstitious" by Stevie Wonder, and two Earth, Wind and Fire songs, "After the Love Has Gone," sung by Matt Ko '15, and "September."

 

After saying goodbyes to family and fans, the musicians stopped for ice cream before heading back to Groton. Ryles is the oldest jazz club in Cambridge and the second oldest in the Boston area. Some of the greats who have played there are Pat Metheny, Arturo Sandoval, McCoy Tyner, and Maynard Ferguson.—Mary Ann Lanier, Director of Instrumental Music