Jazz Ensemble Jams in CRC Atrium

The University of Maryland Jazz Ensemble performed a lunchtime concert in the atrium of the Clinical Research Center on July 13.

They started the set with Surrey With the Fringe On Top, played with a light jazzy air. 

“It was a perfect way to begin the set, I thought,” said Gerry Kunkel, the group’s guitarist. “Some of my favorite songs we did were Poinciana featuring Jon Ozment on piano. This piece became a jazz chestnut when the great Ahmad Jamal performed it. I love how Jon plays this one and it is a favorite of the whole band…

"We also played two Antonio Carlos Jobim classics, Triste and the ever-beautiful Corcovado. I used my nylon string with these two tunes and it lent a more authentic Brazilian sound to the songs, plus I love to play acoustic nylon string guitar anyway and it was a good chance to use one of my favorite instruments. We ended the set with an ode to the season, Summertime by George Gershwin. We played it with an up-tempo Afro-Cuban beat, which I love and it was a strong way to bid our listeners adieu.”

The group features University of Maryland professors and alumni and is a perennial campus favorite.