| Jazz |
Some albums start with a story, and that’s the case with this one, so let’s begin:
Once upon a time, in the summer of 2023, Garrett and Sam were approached by the Timeless Music Project with an idea: what if we rearranged college fight songs for a jazz ensemble? What would that sound like? From that summer until October, many ideas and writings were explored to discover how to incorporate this unique American tradition of college pride with another great American tradition: jazz and improvised music.
As a small European immigrant to the USA, I didn’t know that “college fight songs” existed, so as soon as I have a moment, I’ll dive into the subject. It’s also good to know that in 1954, Dave Brubeck documented his tour of college campuses with an album called *“Jazz Goes to College.”* Seventy years later, Butler and Fasig, along with the members of this esteemed septet, brought the university to jazz, transforming fight songs into love songs, frantic marches into cool grooves, and successfully turning “rah, rah, rah” into “swing, swing, swing.” We’ll also appreciate that the 2024 album cover graphically references Brubeck’s album. Garrett and Sam collaborated on a series of 12 arrangements for their Visions Ensemble, choosing from the best college fight songs and creating original arrangements that kept the melodies at the center while offering a fresh perspective on songs that alumni have known for the rest of their lives.
After a successful debut in October 2023 at the SILO Club in Indianapolis, the planning for recording the collection of arrangements began, and the project was launched. In March 2023, the music was recorded in Bloomington, IN, with a special addition. Garrett and Sam co-wrote another arrangement to highlight trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, who met with the Visions Ensemble and offered advice on the arrangements and performance in 2023. The project aims to evoke memories in listeners while offering exciting versions of songs they love.
Indeed, I went to listen to the originals of these songs, and it’s safe to say that we are far beyond simple arrangements here. It turns out that the college fight songs of yesteryear and today’s jazz sensibilities have more in common than one might think at first glance. Butler explains: “Interestingly, these songs, except for the more modern ones, draw inspiration from the early march form”—the idiom popularized in the late 19th and early 20th century by John Philip Sousa. It’s no coincidence that most university anthems were composed during that time; Sousa himself wrote half a dozen or more. Such undertakings require strong intellectual rigor, and musicians of this caliber are necessary to carry out such a project.
The result is utterly impressive; as you listen, you are swept away by their genius, momentarily forgetting the foundation of these songs. This lively creativity is praiseworthy. I remain fascinated by the vision that some artists can have in response to compositions. For me, it’s mostly the lyrics that inspire me, while I listen to, savor, and applaud the music, placing some—like these offerings—in the category of our “Essential” albums.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, October 13th 2024
Follow PARIS-MOVE on X
::::::::::::::::::::::
Visions Jazz Ensemble:
Sam Butler – Trumpet and Arrangements
Garrett Fasig – Tenor Saxophone and Arrangements
Nick Recktenwald – Trumpet
Jeff Parker – Trombone
Dan Ventura – Piano
Jacob Smith – Bass
Francis Bassett-Dilley – Drums
Visions Jazz Ensemble Christmas Show
Thu, Nov 14 @ 7:00PM Indiana History Museum, Indianapolis, IN
Come hear the Visions Jazz Ensemble present new arrangements of classic Christmas tunes!
Sam Butler – Trumpet
Garrett Fasig – Tenor Saxophone
Dan Ventura – Piano
Alex Hoberty – Bass Tate Sherman – Drums