The faculty of the Thompson Jazz Studies Program recently released a new CD of original works, "Be(bop) Boulder."
And it鈥檚 also churning out some hits of its own.
Recently, the jazz faculty released a CD of original compositions. 鈥淏e(bop) Boulder鈥� features each faculty member in his respective element, crooning in the traditional style and grooving on more contemporary pieces鈥攁nd doing everything in between.
鈥淭he mix is really eclectic. It reflects the range of styles and music that the faculty is interested in,鈥� says John Gunther, director of the Thompson Jazz Studies Program. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really great representation of the collaborative spirit and mutual respect of the faculty.鈥�
A musical pun on the campus鈥� 鈥淏e Boulder鈥� campaign, the title of the CD evokes one of the more upbeat and influential genres of jazz. It鈥檚 also the title of the first track, written and performed by Gunther.
鈥淲e wanted to piggyback on the 鈥楤e Boulder鈥� brand and have a little fun with it,鈥� he says.
The 鈥渂ee-tnick鈥� bumblebees and the album artwork were designed by jazz studies alumna Annie Booth.
The recording features the stylings of the College of Music鈥檚 eight jazz masters: Paul Mckee, Jeff Jenkins, Art Lande, Brad Goode, Bijoux Barbosa, Dave Corbus, Paul Romaine and Josh Quinlan. Gunther says it was a challenge and an accomplishment to coordinate everyone鈥檚 busy schedules and book two days for recording at in Denver.
He says recording the CD couldn鈥檛 have happened without the support of the jazz studies program鈥檚 namesakes, Jack and Jeannie Thompson.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the great things we can do as a result of the endowment. The Thompsons provided us with amazing opportunities as a program, including being able to record a faculty CD.鈥�
Gunther says the CD has been getting a lot of play on local jazz stations, including in Denver. Combined with the jazz faculty鈥檚 active gig schedule along the Front Range, it鈥檚 been an important outreach and recruitment asset.
鈥淎s a faculty, we feel strongly that we should all be playing together. It makes for a stronger department,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e think it鈥檚 really good for our students to see their professors making music together, because that鈥檚 what we鈥檙e teaching them to do.
鈥淚t鈥檚 also important for prospective students to hear our playing and get to know who we are.鈥�
The goal is to do more collaborations like these in the future, keeping the camaraderie of the jazz program strong.
There鈥檚 also a Faculty Tuesday performance planned for September 20, featuring performances of the works on the CD.
Watch this video for a sneak peek:
