UNLV Jazz jams with legends

September 29, 2008 by Courtney Waldron 

This is not a concert review.

The audience already knew going into Ham Hall Thursday night that the jazz faculty, students and guest musicians were going to impress them. They already knew international recording artists Bob Sheppard and Peter Erskine were going to rattle their brains with talent. They already knew the UNLV music department was once again going to bring musical culture to Las Vegas. This is not a critique – this is a reaffirmation of those preconceived notions: the jazz faculty and Jazz I concert surpassed its anticipated hype.

“It’s an honor to have these world-class jazz performers come play,” said David Loeb, director of the jazz studies department.

Drummer Erskine has won two Grammys and received an Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee College of Music. He appears on more than 500 albums, has performed with internationally acclaimed musicians like Maynard Ferguson, Steely Dan and Weather Report and has soloed with orchestras like the London Symphony and Berlin Philharmonic.

Saxophonist Sheppard, while also performing live concerts, has concentrated much of his career in film and television. He played for the soundtracks of major motion pictures like “Jerry Maguire,” “Forrest Gump” and “Goodfellas,” and also recorded on the television soundtracks for “Seinfeld” “Late Night with David Letterman” and “Cheers.” He has also recorded with pop groups like Steely Dan and the Manhattan Transfer, and has done a considerable amount of work with Erskine. And like Erskine, Sheppard’s resumé of awards and performances is too extensive to list in this musical blurb of a non-review.

A three-piece set with Erskine, Sheppard and UNLV bass instructor Tom Warrington began the show. Faculty members Joe Lano on guitar and Loeb on piano later joined the trio to finish the first half of the show. Deviating from jazz standards like “Just in Time” and improvising complicated runs with incredible ease, the group colored the stage with their comfortable genius.

The Jazz I band played the second half of the show, with Erskine and Sheppard reappearing to perform some numbers with the band.

“This is the best band I’ve heard out of the three times I’ve been here,” Sheppard said, acknowledging the great caliber of the group.

Judging by the audience’s euphoria and dazed demeanors upon exiting the Hall after the concert, it wouldn’t be irrational to kick yourself for missing such a groovy show. The next jazz performance will be (free) on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Flamingo Library.