Night at Jazz Club: Concert 47

The joint was jumpin’ last Tuesday night, November 16, as Malta’s Auditorium was turned into Mr. E’s Jazz Club for a one-night-only show by the Malta High School Jazz Combo.

It was a night of bluesy jazz with a little bit of island flair thrown in that was enjoyed by a good crowd that had braved the high winds blowing outside.

The show started with each of the nine-member group coming out one at a time, taking their spot and playing randomly, or “noodling”. The group wore Hawaiian shirts and black fedoras. Once all members were on stage, they went from noodling right into their first song called “Straight Life” by Freddie Hubbard.

It’s a sign of a well-trained group that is ready for the show when they go into the first song before their director is even out on the stage. Mr. Engebretson popped out from the backstage area as the band was well into their first song, casually reading the program for the show, bobbing his head to the music. He only counted the band in two or three times that night, spending more time actually playing an instrument with the band than directing them.

The band played three more songs in the first set of the night. “Mr. P.C.” by John Coltrane, “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, and finishing the set with a Tito Puente classic, “Oye Como Va”.

After a ten-minute intermission, Mr. E. introduced the members of the Jazz Combo.

The rock-solid rhythm section had Taylor Score on the drum set/congas/vibes, Jon Siewing on the vibes/drum set, Isaac Helms on bass, and Kirsta Meisdalen on piano/synthesizer.

The electric horn section had Ashlynn Morser on flute, E’mbow Saintlouis on trumpet, Connor Tuss on trumpet, Justine Lamb on alto sax, and Eion Estill on trombone.

The band’s second set also contained four songs. “What Happens in Jazz Band, Stays in Jazz Band” by Andy Clark, “Bags’ Groove” by Milt Jackson, “Cold Duck Time” by Eddie Harris, and “Jo Jo Calypso” by Jim Nadel.

Mr. E. told the crowd that about three or four of the members of the band that night were regulars in the Jazz Combo, the rest were making their debut in the group. You couldn’t tell, they all did such a great job.