School of Music Presents the Eleven O'Clock Jazz Improvisation Ensemble

The School of Music hosted a Jazz Improvisation Ensemble on Oct. 21. The Jazz Improvisation Ensemble featured Jacob Bellows, Juan Ancieto, Max Bouvire and Jeff Olson, along with their director Daniel Murphy – The Eleven O’Clock Jazz Improvisation Ensemble. The group played an array of jazz music featuring songs like “Midnight Blue” by Kenny Burrell and “Infant Eyes “by Wayne Shorter. Bellows, guitarist of the night, said, “Many of you know I may have a lot of favorite tunes, but this is one of my favorite tunes,” joking “Infant Eyes.” Bellows is currently a junior at the University of Redlands. Originally from Massachusetts, he said that he started music at a very young age. “My mom is an excellent pianist and vocalist, and she used to play guitar every once in a while, too. She taught me the first music I ever learned, and inspired in me a love for music that has only intensified since. I took piano lessons for a while when I was a kid, but once I started playing the guitar, I began to focus more and more on that.” Bass player Anicento mentioned before playing “Favela” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, “If you weren’t familiar with Antonio Carlos Jobim, he was to jazz music as James Brown was to funk.” Anicento is finishing up his senior year at the University of Redlands, working on his BM Music Education degree. He’s been playing the bass for about 7 years, originally self-taught. He found his love in jazz as a student at El Camino College in Torrance when he took a jazz appreciation course. “[The course] exposed me to the history and various styles of jazz. Since then, I knew that this was something I wanted to be involved in.” Dr. Murphy, Director of the Jazz Improv Ensembles, has been a professor of music at the University of Redlands since 1993. In his 21 years at the University of Redlands, he not only directs the Jazz Improvisation Ensembles, but also teaches various classes in jazz improvisation and jazz history. Dr. Murphy has performed in many areas around the southern California region and on the east coast. He’s made appearances at the Redlands Bowl, Blue Jay Jazz Festival, The Performance Loft, and many other places. Dr. Murphy said, “Jazz Improvisation Ensembles are open to all U of R students. We have auditions the beginning of each semester to determine who will be in which group and we perform two concerts each semester.” Their next concert will be held Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. at the University of Redlands, Watchorn Hall.