Jazz Performance Journal

Sangama Pie performs concert at St. Olaf College

Henry Lewers — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:57:57 +0000

Sangama Pie, a jazz combo comprised of students from the class of 2012 at St. Olaf College, performed a concert in the Lion's Pause Wednesday, February 11th. On January 28, Sangama Pie, along with five other bands, participated in and Music and Entertainment Committee's "Music Mayhem" competition. Each band performed a song, with the prize being a concert in the Pause. Members of the band include Francis Maginn on trombone, Chris Bouxsein on tenor saxophone, Henry Lewers on piano, Andy Nail on bass, Alex Van Rysselberghe on drums, and Akshar Rambachan on vocal percussion and Indian tabla. The set included standards, such as "So What" and "Canteloupe Island," as well as originals.

Below is a video of an original tune "Squirrel," performed at the M.E.C competition:

St. Olaf College Jazz Band II performs Fall Concert

Henry Lewers — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:36:47 +0000

Jazz II at St. Olaf College performed its Fall Concert on Sunday, November 23, 2008 in the Lion's Pause at St. Olaf College. The band, directed by Dave Hagedorn, is comprised of five saxophones, five trumpets, four trombones, and a rhythm section. The band played Cottontail, a Duke Ellington standard; Not Yet by Rodrigo Villanueva, Misterious Delta City, a fusion of two tunes by Thelonious Monk and Michael Brecker, The Boss Hog by Jamey Simmons, and Herbie Hancock's Wiggle Waggle. A video of the entire concert, including Jazz III's performance, can be seen by clicking here.

2008 New Hampshire All-State Honors Jazz Band

Henry Lewers — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:39:14 +0000

Henry Lewers attended the 2008 New Hampshire All-State Jazz Festival from February 7-9 at Pinkerton Acamedy in Derry, New Hampshire. He played piano in the Honors Jazz Band after scoring highest among pianists in the state in All-State auditions. The band played a set of five tunes, including Softly As In A Morning Sunrise, To You, So What, Sea Changes, and Mopti.

Click the icon below to download To You. To hear clips of the other tracks, click here. Click here to see pictures from the Festival. Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to see full videos of all the songs.

2008 New Hampshire All-State Honors Jazz Combo

Henry Lewers — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:36:36 +0000

On January 12, Henry Lewers played piano in the jazz combo at the Honors Chamber Festival, which took place at Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, NH. The combo played a set that included Mr. Kenyatta by Lee Morgan, Silver's Serenade by Horace Silver and Neil Hefti's Cute. Students with the highest scores from the All-State auditions are invited to this festival. Henry was the highest scoring jazz pianist in the state this year.

Click the icon below to download Cute.To hear clips from the other songs, click here.

Henry Lewers Piano Quartet performs at New England Conservatory

Henry Lewers — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:34:30 +0000

On June 8, 2008 at 4 PM Henry Lewers, accompanied by bass, drums, and flute, performed a recital at New England Conservatory to complete the Level IV Certificate program requirements. Judy Bruneau and Elise MacDonald played drums and flute respectively, and David Zoffer, Henry's teacher at the conservatory, played bass. Vocalist Caitlin Gillam was also featured on three songs. The program included songs by Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Claude Bolling, Chick Corea, Tord Gustavsen, and others.

Below is a video of Sea Journey, and a audio track from the concert. Click the icon below to download Georgia On My Mind. To hear clips from the other songs, click here.

Henry Lewers Piano Trio performs at New England Conservatory

Henry Lewers — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:29:29 +0000

On Sunday June 10 at 4 PM, Henry Lewers performed a recital at New England Conservatory in Boston to complete the Level IV Certificate requirements. Performing with him were Elise MacDonald on bass and flute, and Jory Goodman on drums. The program included works by Claude Bolling, Chick Corea, Charles Mingus, and Henry Lewers. The recital took place in one of NEC's many recital halls on St. Botolph Street.

Click the icon below to download Armando's Rhumba. To hear clips from the other tracks, click here.

To hear clips of the other songs, click here.

Franz Von Chossy Trio performs at High Mowing School

Henry Lewers — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:26:38 +0000

The Franz von Chossy Trio, featuring pianist Franz von Chossy on piano, HMS alum Sean Fasciani ('98) on bass, and Flin van Hemmen on drums, gave a transcendent performance in the Big Room on September 29, 2006. The trio, fresh from their recent win for Best Soloist and 2004 Jazz Album of the Year at the Dutch Jazz Competition/North Sea Jazz Festival, were nonetheless remarkably accessible as they delivered a long program of von Chossy's originals and then humbly accepted the audience's appreciation.

The Trio's recent release, "Awakening", is now available on iTunes. You can also visit the trio's website to hear clips from tracks on the CD.

Pianist Henry Lewers opened for the trio.

2007 New Hampshire All-State Jazz Band

Henry Lewers — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:22:25 +0000

Henry Lewers was a participant at the 2007 New Hampshire All-State Jazz Festival. The Festival took place in Nashua, NH at Nashua South High School. Henry played in one of two big bands at the Festival, performing swing and latin standards.