Crowd gathers for Jazz-MU-Tazz festival

HUNTINGTON -- Swinging and swaying in step with the music, a crowd of people gathered at Pullman Square to listen to the sounds of the Jazz-MU-Tazz summer jazz festival.

The free event featured guest artist Craig Treinen and the Jazz-MU-Tazz Festival Big Band. The music was played on the stage of Pullman Square Saturday evening.

The Jazz-MU-Tazz Festival Big Band is a group of high school and college students from Marshall and surrounding high schools. The students have been together since Monday practicing two hours a day for the concert.

"This is my third year doing this, and it seems like the group doubles every year. There are 28 kids in the group, which is almost enough for two big bands," said 16-year-old saxophonist Tyler Donathan.

The group was so large that some of the saxophonists, guitarists and bassists had to take turns playing on different songs.

"We have learned a lot about music theory over the last week," said Beau Keesee, 16 of Barboursville, "I have been playing guitar off and on for about four years, but I got serious about it about two years ago.

According to a press release from Marshall University, Jazz-MU-Tazz was founded in 2000 to celebrate the opening of the Jomie Jazz Center at Marshall University. The students go to develop their skills in improvisation, as well as learn about jazz theory and history.

"I think that this event is fantastic. I'd like to see things like this happen more often," said spectator Bill Brown, who drove from Scott Depot. "The college group has always done well, but the high school kids are doing a great job at this event, too."

Virgil Leques said that he attends several jazz events in the area and plays the flute.

"It's great to have events like this. There is a lot of talent up on that stage," said Leques.

Saturday's event concluded the four-day jazz festival, which also included events at the Jomie Jazz Center where Bluetrane, the Marshall University jazz faculty, performed with Craig Treinen.

This is the ninth year for the annual Jazz-MU-Tazz summer jazz festival.