Turtle Island String Quartet by Jasmine
The Turtle Island Quartet, a remarkable group of artists who combine various styles of art and music to create unique and impressionable sounds, has opened my eyes to the world of jazz. The fun and friendly, intimate show at Fisher and the opportunity to meet with the performers after the show immensely increased my knowledge of jazz and those who pursue a musical career in that area.
When I first heard about the concert I didn’t know what to expect. I had never heard Miles Davis’s pieces before, and I had also never attended a jazz concert in my life. I expected the show’s atmosphere to be somewhat like that at the Moscow state Symphony, but I found out that I it was instead extremely different. First of all, the smaller size of Fisher Theater made the experience more personal, connected, and informal. I liked this setting because it really helped the audience be in tune with the musicians, meshing the two groups more closely into one. The second thing I noticed was the lighting. Unlike the brightly lit symphony, Fisher was instead lit by cool shades of blue and green, appropriate colors for the jazz music tribute. As I had been expecting something more formal, I was at first surprised when the musicians began telling jokes and having fun. Imagine that! I was amused by all of their comments and I thought that their introductions flowed well, really adding to the music. The descriptions of a smoky bar and a dark, late-night room made the music seem much more realistic, as if I was truly in that kind of an atmosphere. The jokes and comments just made the entire show seem more realistic and friendly, really connecting the performers with the audience.
The music of the Turtle Island Quartet was, in itself, truly magnificent. Although I didn’t catch many of the integrated styles, I am amazed by the sheer vitality and versatility of the group. Playing styles such as folk, bluegrass, swing, bebop, classical, rock, salsa, and even hip hop, Turtle Island has the unique ability to mix the traditional style of jazz with more modern sounds. Improvisation is also incorporated, showing that the artists could be spontaneous in their expertise. I was very impressed with the various pieces that the group played and with all of their individual talents.
Meeting with the group was also very beneficial to me, as I learned a great deal about the backgrounds that the artists had and the difficulties in traveling and working together. In the past I had always envisioned music majors as strictly vocal, classical, or something that would make them become piano teachers or symphony performers. I had no idea how one would possibly enter college in the prospect of a lifetime of jazz! However, the responses from the musicians gave me a great insight into the minds of creative performers. Their love for a plethora of musical styles and their desire to integrate them all into one is a wonderful cause. Instead of simply focusing on one style, they have the ability to bring out the best in each and blend them together into a style completely its own. I found this process to be incredible, and I hold the utmost respect for their dedication and creative ability.
Turtle Island’s enjoyable performance has taught me a great deal about jazz and the flexibility of music. The amazing artists who bring together different kinds of music truly inspire us in a modern age not to simply stick to one style. Music is forever changing, a medium through which to express without restraint, and jazz, in essence, is the most all-encompassing description of all.
When I first heard about the concert I didn’t know what to expect. I had never heard Miles Davis’s pieces before, and I had also never attended a jazz concert in my life. I expected the show’s atmosphere to be somewhat like that at the Moscow state Symphony, but I found out that I it was instead extremely different. First of all, the smaller size of Fisher Theater made the experience more personal, connected, and informal. I liked this setting because it really helped the audience be in tune with the musicians, meshing the two groups more closely into one. The second thing I noticed was the lighting. Unlike the brightly lit symphony, Fisher was instead lit by cool shades of blue and green, appropriate colors for the jazz music tribute. As I had been expecting something more formal, I was at first surprised when the musicians began telling jokes and having fun. Imagine that! I was amused by all of their comments and I thought that their introductions flowed well, really adding to the music. The descriptions of a smoky bar and a dark, late-night room made the music seem much more realistic, as if I was truly in that kind of an atmosphere. The jokes and comments just made the entire show seem more realistic and friendly, really connecting the performers with the audience.
The music of the Turtle Island Quartet was, in itself, truly magnificent. Although I didn’t catch many of the integrated styles, I am amazed by the sheer vitality and versatility of the group. Playing styles such as folk, bluegrass, swing, bebop, classical, rock, salsa, and even hip hop, Turtle Island has the unique ability to mix the traditional style of jazz with more modern sounds. Improvisation is also incorporated, showing that the artists could be spontaneous in their expertise. I was very impressed with the various pieces that the group played and with all of their individual talents.
Meeting with the group was also very beneficial to me, as I learned a great deal about the backgrounds that the artists had and the difficulties in traveling and working together. In the past I had always envisioned music majors as strictly vocal, classical, or something that would make them become piano teachers or symphony performers. I had no idea how one would possibly enter college in the prospect of a lifetime of jazz! However, the responses from the musicians gave me a great insight into the minds of creative performers. Their love for a plethora of musical styles and their desire to integrate them all into one is a wonderful cause. Instead of simply focusing on one style, they have the ability to bring out the best in each and blend them together into a style completely its own. I found this process to be incredible, and I hold the utmost respect for their dedication and creative ability.
Turtle Island’s enjoyable performance has taught me a great deal about jazz and the flexibility of music. The amazing artists who bring together different kinds of music truly inspire us in a modern age not to simply stick to one style. Music is forever changing, a medium through which to express without restraint, and jazz, in essence, is the most all-encompassing description of all.
posted by ISC On Stage @ 7:59 AM
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