The "Jazz Chamber Ensemble I" at Hope College has released its first compact disc, "The Faction."
The compact disc, which features primarily
original compositions, was recorded on the Hope campus in
January and March of 1997. The student ensemble was joined
by guest artists Chuck Owen and Christopher Hanning, and
directed by Brian Coyle of the Hope music faculty.
As featured on the compact disc, the ensemble
included senior Joshua Quinlan of Grand Rapids (alto
saxophone); senior Ryan Janus of Mt. Prospect, Ill. (piano
and tenor saxophone); 1995 graduate Matthew Fouts of Grand
Rapids (bass); Chris Carr of Grand Rapids (bass); junior
Nick Knebl of Ludington (bass); and senior Steve Dumont of
Norton Shores (drums).
Owen, a pianist, is director of jazz studies at
the University of South Florida. Hanning, a drummer, is
director of percussion activities at West Chester
University.
The disc opens with "Faction Montage," which
features four pieces: "Jump Monk," by Charles Mingus;
"Swiss Interlude," by Janus; "Government Cheese," by
Quinlan; and "Stella by Starlight," by Victor Young. The
six works that follow are "Set of All Sets," by Janus; "The
Gift Awaits," by Owen; "Union Station" and "Sarah's
Assignment," both by Janus; "Night of the Thieves," by Eric
Reed; and "Lonely Woman," by Ornette Coleman.
The Jazz Chamber Ensemble I frequently performs in
concert on-campus, in clubs and at jazz festivals. During
the 1996-97 school year in which the recording was made, the
group won soloist and composition awards.
The compact disc, which features a cover painting
by 1998 Hope graduate Jesse Koskey of Berkley, is available
for $10 at the college's Hope-Geneva Bookstore, as well as
through the Jazz Studies area of the college's Department of
Music by calling (616) 395-7653.