By Jennifer Aguilar

Reporter

CSU Bakersfield hosted its 40th Annual Jazz Jam, directed by Jim Scully, in the Doré Theatre on March 4.

“Jazz music is such a melting pot of culture that there are tons of things I appreciate about it,” Scully said. “The intellectual nature of the music, the spontaneity of the art, is very engaging as a performer.

Scully said that he loved that “musicians are all expected to be composers of jazz.”

“An improvised solo is composition, so musicians are held to a high standard of not just reading music and playing it ‘correctly’ but also of being able to compose in the moment during a piece. That’s so special to jazz and it’s something I appreciate immensely,” Scully said.

This was Scully’s fifth Jazz Jam that he has put together.

“We just want to express the music to the audience,” said Scully.  Scully said it took them  90 minutes a day for over ten weeks to prepare for the show.

This year’s special guest, Aaron Langston, was featured in the grand performance.

This was Langston’s first time joining CSUB.

“(I got) great hospitality, students were receptive. It was great,” he said.

CSUB students came to support and enjoy the show on their Friday night.

“I thought the environment was very relaxing. I enjoyed it. If the 41st Annual Jazz Jam is free, I will watch it again,” psychology major Vanessa Castro said.

“This is my third time coming to watch the Jazz Jam, and I have to say every year they play a new piece that catches my interest deeper into jazz music, and makes me want to come again the following year. I really enjoyed my Friday night today,” Carole Arreola said.

“It’s my first time attending the jazz performance. I cannot believe they already had 40 of them. They give out a relaxing and fun atmosphere and vibe to the crowd. I had fun,” theatre major Deon Danehy said.