Thursday afternoon at the stroke of noon, the sound of jazz will swing better than ever on North Campus. It”s festival time, as in the second annual Pierpont Commons Jazz Festival. Thank student organizer Tal Kopstein and his diehard crew of 30 student volunteers for packaging an appealing program of musicians and sure-fire soloing.
Kopstein, Pierpont Commons Program Board student chair, promises high-charged improvisations, beginning at noon and lasting until early evening. “Two stages, should transform the indoor Leonardo”s and the outdoor Pierpont Commons patio into something distinctive,” said Kopstein.
Performing faculty headliners include music school professors Donald Walden (saxophone) and pianists Stephen Rush and Ellen Rowe. Contest giveaways will precede a closing headline performance by Sex Mob.
“The festival is entirely student-run,” said Kopstein, a senior jazz studies major and trumpeter at the Music School. “Dan Friedman (program board vice-president) and I have been working since February booking bands, finding sponsors. We”ve put something special together in only our second year.”
For one thing, Kopstein raves about this year”s expanded scope. Compared to last October”s inaugural bash, this time there”s more bands, two stages and a much anticipated arrival of New York-based jazz-rockers Sex Mob. They”re touring behind a new CD, Sex Mob Does Bond, which invokes an interpretive soundtrack feel to an imaginary James Bond movie. “They rock,” said Kopstein effusively.
Last year”s festival met misfortune in early October with heavy, rainy weather. With an earlier seasonal booking, Kopstein aims to deliver substantive jazz grooves amidst fall term color.
Festival founder Ben Yonas, Kopstein”s predecessor on the Pierpont Commons Program Board as student chair, launched the festival to strengthen North Campus ties with the local community. Ultimately, it also draws welcome attention to the prized School of Music, besides showcasing a healthy mix of acoustic and electric jazz textures.
“Attendence was lower than we hoped last year. But this year, we”ve had more time to fundraise and advertise. So we expect 2,500-5,000 students to attend the festival,” Kopstein said.