TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — The Troy University Jazz Ensemble played its first show of the semester at the Studio on the square last Tuesday night.

Although it usually takes some time for the band to start putting on shows, one member said the preparation time is well worth the wait. 

“I think it’s like more time to cook in the oven, you know,” said trombone soloist, Eli True. “When a lot of these tunes are collegiate level or professional level it takes a longer time to prepare them. So, you just got to make sure you feel good about them before you go in. It was rusty but once we got in the groove it felt good.” 

The band’s director, Dr. Dave Camwell, attributes his students’ growth to long, in-depth practice and dedication to their musical journey. 

“Well, a lot of it is about expectations,” Camwell said. “We have the history of the group which is being a very high level, and we want to meet that and surpass it. And so, I’m very proud of our progression and we’re just going to keep going up, up, up.”

MORE FROM THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC: Symphony Band holds Masterworks performance

The solo improvisational nature of Jazz allows Camwell to test his students and push them to stand out in every piece, with the reward of time in the spotlight. 

“The charts will have parts that I think really fit one player and if I ever don’t think its a good fit then of course, frankly, we won’t be playing the chart,” Camwell told TrojanVision. “But I think it’s also important to give people their opportunity to have a solo because improvisation is such an important part of Jazz.” 

Camwell believes improvisation elevates his students’ work and also demonstrates the beauty of Jazz.  

“It can become so personal, and you can very easily put your own emotional stamp on the music, which I think is very powerful for artists,” Camwell said. “There’s so much more freedom to it in terms of personal expression, which I think is very rewarding.” 

Now that the first show of the semester is in the books, the ensemble looks to its next performance for another way to continue moving “up, up, up.”