The Bakersfield College Jazz Ensemble hosted the BC Jazz Studies Fall 2024 Concert on Monday, Nov. 18, directed by Kris Tiner. The jazz concert consisted of music by jazz legends such as Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Wayne Shorter.

Original compositions by students Lavonte Taylor and Matthew Ellis were also shown at the concert, with the premier of a new song, “Vanilla Scented” composed by Lavonte Taylor.

He stated, “Life is sweet, like something vanilla scented”.

The BC Jazz ensemble has been around for 67 years.

Inside the theater, at the entrance was a display of the BC archive – memorabilia from Bakersfield College throughout the years was shown for the public to see.

The first song performed was “The Deacon” and the crowd stayed silent and just felt the music.

This soulful music genre originated in the African American communities in Louisiana.

Jazz music is where emotion is brought to music.

The BC Jazz ensemble learned 8 new pieces of music since their last concert to give BC a concert to remember. The ensemble consists of about 23 members, with musicians transitioning between sets and instruments.

The emotion of the drummer, Aidan Scully, knew every beat and brought the emotion of the beat to every person.

The members of the ensemble wore all black and kept a classic yet modern look.

Flor Flores, a vocalist performing with the jazz band performed two songs with one titled, “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”, by Ella Fitzgerald.

The song, “Chinoiserie” by American pianist and composer Duke Ellington, is from an Afro-Eurasian album, another song performed. Kris Tiner quoted him and stated, “racial divisions are only temporary”.

The award-winning Jazz Studies Program hosted this jazz concert to continue keeping the art of Jazz alive.