April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and WBGO is celebrating by showcasing some of the talent from local programs.
For this installment, we feature the Queens College Original Ensemble, led by alto saxophonist Antonio Hart. As the name implies, this band, which joined us on Afternoon Jazz with Bill Daughtry, focuses on material by its student musicians.
"Every week they're responsible for coming in with an original composition," explains Hart. "And I give them guideance, but I kind of stay in the background: I let them conduct it, tell everybody what they want with their composition... For the most part, the ensemble runs itself."
Among the original pieces in this session at WBGO are "Hey Apple" and "Saga." Watch the full performance below.
MUSICIANS
Shabnam Abedi, vocals; Leonardo Catricala, bass; Pamai Chirdkiatisak, guitar; Minwoo Ha, drums; Justus Heher, trombone; Matthew Schwartz, alto saxophone; David DiTrapani, trumpet; Misha Tsiganov, piano.
Recording mix: Corey Goldberg