Troy University students, along with Dr. Dave Camwell, Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies, and his musical partnership, Covert Ensemble, have collaborated with international professional musicians to create a modern reworking of the first movement of Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in D minor (also known as BWV 1052 (mvt. I), one of his most dramatic and powerful compositions.

Musicians from the Czech Republic, Canada and the United States came together virtually to perform. The video project included three of Dr. Camwell’s students and jazz ensemble members, Tosh Teeter, Dominique Taylor and Thomas Caydon Davis. 

“Getting to play music with my professor and colleagues outside of an academic setting was a great experience,” said Teeter, a senior from Ozark who is majoring in music, philosophy and psychology. “I always enjoy playing music with these people.”

Dominique Taylor, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Douglas, Ga., said the opportunity to collaborate meant a lot to him.

“I’ve been following Dr. Camwell and the Covert Ensemble for a while now and I’ve always thought their stuff was good,” Taylor said. “So, when I got asked, I was excited to be apart of it.”

“I love playing drums and making music so any opportunity I get to share my talents with others, and the world is always a special moment to me,” Taylor continued. “I’m hoping this is a glimpse of what I want my future to look like in a sense when it comes to performing!”

Thomas Caydon Davis, a freshman studying music industry from Baker County, Ga., said the collaboration was an honor and challenged him to grow as a musician.

“Before coming to Troy I had never really done much with my guitar playing outside of my own bedroom,” Davis said. “I was honored and thrilled that Dr. Camwell asked me to be a part of this project. I would also like to share how this piece allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and play something that I wasn’t familiar with at all and that challenged me.”

Dr. Camwell shared the project was deeply personal for him.

“Reworking BWV 1052 with Covert Ensemble was especially meaningful because it brought together musicians who represent different chapters of my life,” Dr. Camwell said. “I loved the process of translating Bach’s intensity and forward momentum into a modern chamber setting while sharing that experience with artists I deeply trust.”

The full performance is available to watch here. For more from Troy University Jazz, follow their Facebook page.