Jazz tunes new and old took hold of DiPiazza’s on Thursday night as a part of Long Beach City College’s jazz combos’ second performance of the semester.
Every month, Long Beach City College music professor Patrick (Pat) Sheng hosts a jazz night where his music combo students can show off their talents in front of a live audience at the local venue DiPiazza’s.
The first combo of the night, “Amber and the Pink Ponies,” presented Amber Cabello Perez on electric guitar, Eric Brounstein on alto saxophone, Dean Williams on keyboard, and Omarii Johnson on drums.
Although they were the first performers of the night, Brounstein’s smooth saxophone and Johnson’s heavy drum fills set a confident tone for the night.
Each of the jazz combos displayed a wide range of ages, styles and talents of their musicians.
“I like to say that music breaks down all barriers for politics, age, and race. It’s all about what and how you play,” Brounstein, who’s been in jazz combos for seven semesters, said.
Those attending the Jazz night kept their energy up for the second combo.
“The Honeypack,” composed of Jacob Kosberg on bass, Millie Reynolds on electric guitar, Danny Kiledjian on keyboard, and Daniel Garibay on drums, was another key example of the scope of ages and talents that engage in jazz nights.
Millie Reynolds played electric guitar while dressed as a vampire for the second jazz combo, The Honeypack. The combo played the well-known jazz standard, “Beautiful Love” by Bill Evans. (Samantha Navarro)
“We didn’t get to pick the songs this time around, but we will next time. Pat assigns the songs based on skill level,” Brounstein said.
The third combo, “Wildlife Expedition,” began their set with the classic jazz song “All of Me.”
“Wildlife Expedition” featured singer Earnest Kemeny, guitarist Tamara Rodriguez, drummer Allen Johnston, xylophonist Wren Ablaza, and bassist Alison Lewis.
Kemeny has been singing for years and started jazz combos in the fall of 2018.
Pat Sheng made this jazz night a Halloween costume contest, so Kemeny was dressed as a sailor and Lewis as a witch.
LBCC student, Alison Lewis played bass for the jazz combo, “Wildlife Expedition” dressed as a witch for the Halloween costume contest. Lewis said the most valuable thought to have in mind while performing was, “To just stay present.” (Samantha Navarro)
Kemeny held a quiet authority on stage and captivated the audience with his vibrato and call-and-response sections.
Lewis, a former middle-school teacher turned bassist, smiled to herself through the set and gained more confidence as time went on.
“I played bass in 1979 for a new wave punk band, then became a middle school teacher for 33 years. Jazz is a whole different language,” Lewis said.
Because Sheng picks the combo groups, students get the chance to grow closer with their combos as the semester progresses.
“For two days out of the week (the combos) are completely alone, one of those days is spent in a tiny practice room. Everyone has been really nice and encouraging,” said Lewis.
Throughout all of the combos, one sentiment was shared: Pat Sheng deserves high praise for the work he does with the combo students.
“I haven’t performed before. I probably wouldn’t do anything like this without the class,” Williams, who plays the keyboard for “Amber and the Pink Ponies” said.
Students will stay with their combos for the rest of the semester and will perform again at DiPiazza’s on Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.