By Jill Muraski
staff writer
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| Anat Cohen jams out with MSU Jazz Octet I |
On Wednesday, February 8th, Northview had the privilege of hosting some amazing jazz artists: The Rockford Jazz Band, the Northview Jazz Band, the Michigan State Jazz Octets I and II, and the world-renowned musician and composer Anat Cohen. The show began at seven o’clock pm and didn’t end until after nine, where the musicians were breathless but smiling.
The concert opened with the Rockford Jazz Band, followed by Northview and Octets. Each band had the opportunity to play with Anat Cohen, who wowed the crowd with her incredible talent on clarinet and soprano saxophone, along with her compositions. She was honored to be able to work with all four bands.
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| The Northview Jazz Band with Anat Cohen |
“It’s great!” said Cohen, “I remember being in high school once and feeling what they were feeling and it’s amazing to see how the musicians grow in the college bands. It’s great!”
Opportunities like this are incredible because of the effect they have on people. The crowd was brought to their feet when they weren’t tapping their toes or sitting on the edge of their seats. Diego Rivera, director of the MSU Jazz Octets, said, “Music binds the universe together,” while introducing a piece. This couldn’t have been more true. The concert brought in people from all walks of life and brought two high schools that are often thought of as rivals, together for one incredible evening. The students, the directors, and Cohen were smiling throughout and after the show.
“It was joy in music,” Greg Wells, director of bands at Northview, said the following day.
Northview is home to some of the best musical talent in West Michigan. Pairing that with the award-winning Rockford Jazz Band and the talent from MSU and Cohen, it made for an awe-inspiring show.
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