Washington, IL -- The Heartland Festival Orchestra is known for its creative programs, and 'Iconic Jazz,' on March 19 at Five Points auditorium, easily tops the list.
Instead of a symphony orchestra, a jazz sextet of nationally known musicians, joined on some pieces by a string quartet, presented what can only be described as hard core jazz.
The jazz sextet was led by Chuck Israels, who arranged the music. He has a long list of achievements including work with Benny Goodman,, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordan, Gerry Mulligan, even Barbara Streisand, and others.
He and his sextet were brilliant musicians and their sound was full and rich. The pieces they played were a mixed bag of the familiar -- 'Bye, Bye Blackbird,' 'Lover Man,' 'Willow Weep For Me,' -- and the obscure.
The latter numbers were interesting and challenging with dissonant chords, uneven fast rhythms, with a touch of the sounds of modern classical music. Alas, they sounded similar -- without melodies that would make them distinctive.
As is traditional for jazz concerts the audience applauded the soloists as they played throughout the pieces, which I always find distracting. And the performance did not include a vocalist, who would have added to the program.
Still it was an interesting evening to hear top notch jazz. Way cool.
-- Elaine Hopkins