The Bakersfield College Jazz Ensemble put on a talented musical spectacle for their “Swing in, Spring” event. The small concert was directed by Kris Tiner, a Bakersfield College instructor, and featured students currently studying music.

The ensemble performed contemporary and classical jazz songs for an audience of about 60 people. The crowd cheered every performance and solo, and became more emphatic about the music as the night wore on.

There were a few hiccups in their performance as they were warming up to “Hora Decubitus” by Charles Mingus, but the ensemble played effortlessly through the second performance, “Red Clay” by Freddie Hubbard.

Overall, they played considerably well for students. Nearly every component of jazz, from the framework of the notes to the chorus, was treated with delicate precision. Even the most casual listeners in the audience were drawn by the captivating performance.

By the end of the last song, “The Git,” the entire audience stayed fixed in their seats, cheering and clapping vigorously, which prompted the band to play on.

Many audience members were appreciative of the students who performed solos. Trezell West was one of the many that reflected a passionate appreciation for the rhythmic music in his piano solos.

“Trinity River Escapades” was one of the best songs, and it was perhaps his solo that provided the pieces with the rhythmic pulse that made it so well-developed.

Tenor saxophone players Jared Graf and Jeff Wood made compelling contributions as well. Graf was dressed like John Belushi from “The Blues Brothers,” complete with sunglasses and a black felt Fedora hat. Graf had fewer solos than Wood, but his playing seemed to be one of the underlying sounds in the very best pieces.

Heidi Williems was another diamond in the rough. Williems is both a singer and a trombone player for the band, and pulled through wonderfully in her performance of “As Time Goes By.” When she first started to sing, her pitch was a little weak, but as the song progressed she and the band ascended into a perfect harmonic structure.