Trinity Jazz Orchestra ends Freeport church's concert series
The musicians in the Trinity Jazz Orchestra take the biblical summons to "make a joyful noise" quite seriously.
"We believe that in all of the music that we make, whether secular or Christian, it is a 'joyful noise' and is intended to glorify the Lord," says baritone saxophonist John Fogg, a founder of the seven-year-old group comprising music educators and other professional musicians from throughout the region.
Members of Western Pennsylvania's only nonprofit, professional repertory jazz orchestra return to the Alle-Kiski Valley at 6 p.m. Sunday for a performance at Trinity Lutheran Church, Freeport, concluding the church's 2010 free concert series for the public. The orchestra headlined an anniversary concert at Evangel Heights Assembly of God on Aug. 15.
"They bring a wealth of experience in performing this great music. Most of the players have performed with big bands for many, many years," says Drew Fennell of Natrona Heights, series organizer, principal flugelhorn in the River City Brass Band and conductor of the River City Youth Brass Band. He also will present a trumpet solo Sunday with the orchestra.
The music of the big bands truly is timeless, he adds. "Frankly, I expect it to be every bit as lasting as music by the great classical masters. In 100 years, Miller, Goodman and Ellington will be remembered alongside Mozart, Beethoven and Bach."
Part of the Trinity Jazz Orchestra's mission is to educate audiences about America's only native art form -- jazz, says Fogg, who has performed with the Alle-Kiski Valley based Gibbons Big Band, which opened the summer series at the church this month. "One of the ways we choose to do that is to perform a repertoire of original and authentic music that was introduced by the great bands that preceded us," he says. The musicians also aim to acquaint audiences with a contemporary big-band jazz repertoire.
Expect to hear selections from Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Buddy Rich and Gordon Goodwin, among others, as well as two spirited hymns arranged by Dove award (the Christian Grammy) winner Ralph Carmichael; some Gospel-based tunes and patriotic songs.
"Seeing the surprise in people's eyes when they feel the power that is generated by a good big band is a treat," Fogg says.
"We find that most people who take a moment to listen to the music really enjoy it," Fogg says. "It doesn't seem to matter whether their primary music preferences is country, pop, metal, punk or hip-hop. If they give it a try, everyone seems to enjoy big-band jazz."
Many people who continue to support big-band music grew up in the big-band era of the '30s and '40s," says trumpeter James Cunningham of Butler Township, also a founding member of the orchestra. "Our task is to expose younger generations to it and hope they see the value in keeping it around."
Cunningham has been a professional freelance trumpet player for many years, and has played in and with Alle-Kiski Valley artists and organizations such as the Buddy Lee, Johnny Costa, Barry Blue and New Kensington Pops orchestras. He recorded three times with Arnold's Buddy Lee.
His horn has been in demand for the Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey bands, Pittsburgh Symphony and the Benny Benack Orchestra, and he has played for luminaries such as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Frankie Avalon, Lou Rawls and Roberta Peters.
One of his most memorable gigs could have been his last. Unbeknownst to him, he had a heart attack in 1997 while playing "Trumpet Voluntary" during a wedding ceremony at a large church in Butler. "I suddenly became short of breath and had a slight tightness in my throat area. I had no idea I was having a heart attack, " he recalls. He finished the wedding, including playing the recessional, and drove himself home, prepared to make a second job that night in McKeesport with Buddy Lee.
"My wife took one look at me and called an ambulance," he says. He was rushed to St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh and had a quadruple bypass operation."
He has been in good health since.
Cunningham says the musicians in the Trinity Jazz Orchestra "are a great group of like-minded people." "Many of the players have become like brothers to me, younger brothers since I'm one of the oldest guys in the band."
Fogg assures that the musicians are looking forward to demonstrating that "jazz is as appropriate in a church sanctuary as it is in a concert hall."
It all gets back to Psalm 100, he says. Jazz is the Orchestra's "joyful noise."
Historically, jazz has, in some circles, had a checkered past, he says. "We are trying to accentuate the positive, uplifting, spirit-filled aspect of the music. We believe that whether we are playing stirring arrangements of Christian music like 'It Is Well With My Soul' or or 'Shiny Stockings,' or any other secular tune, that they are all gifts from God, and we think He enjoys them all equally."
The Christian tunes often swing just as hard as the secular numbers, he says. "Jazz as we know it belongs anywhere that a group will take the opportunity to enjoy it," Fogg says.
Additional Information:
Trinity Jazz Orchestra
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Trinity Lutheran Church, Buffalo and Fifth streets, Freeport
Admission: Free; free-will offering will be accepted for future programming and purchase of a new piano.
Details: 724-295-9557
