Bulldogs and Dinosaurs

Ferris hosts alumni jazz band concert

The stage sparkled as audience members gathered from near and far to witness live jazz music in Williams Auditorium.

On Saturday, April 23, at 8 p.m., the Ferris State University Music Center presented the Jazz Band and Alumni Concert conducted by Matt Moresi and featuring guest director Harry Dempsey.

The Alumni Jazz Dinosaurs kicked off the concert with a large and powerful ensemble. They welcomed back to the stage Harry Dempsey, a retired Ferris band director, who received a standing ovation from the audience and the ensemble in honor of all the work he did for the FSU Jazz Band.

Music swept across the stage and into the audience as the Alumni Jazz Dinosaurs rocked the auditorium, although not everyone was enthused, as some in attendance were required to attend as part of a course..

After a brief intermission, the FSU Jazz Band took the stage. With a formal style, the Jazz Band played a variety of music that ranged from the music you would hear at your favorite classy restaurant to an upbeat shuffle.

“I liked it all,” Grand Rapids resident Kristen Carter commented. “I really liked how the alumni played first and then they had the younger kids play.”

The director, Matt Moresi, took a moment to thank his Jazz Band seniors and soon-to-be members of the Alumni Jazz Dinosaurs.

“Matt’s a really good instructor,” Ferris music industry management senior and bass player Jen Leitner said. “It’s really easy to learn from him and he’s good at conducting, so it’s really great to play with him and all the other people in the Jazz Band, too.”

Despite the semester nearing an end, the Jazz Band is not done yet. Friday, April 29, at 11 a.m, the FSU Jazz Band will be playing at the Thornapple Arts Jazz Festival in Hastings.