by Scott Roos
photos by Deanna Roos (Contingent Colours Photography)
On October 12th, the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra (SJO) and the Saskatoon Brass Band (SBB) joined forces to present the “Trumpet Triumph” concert this past Saturday. This event took place at the elegant Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon, featuring the renowned trumpeter Wayne Bergeron as the special guest artist. The concert was a night filled with exceptional musical performances from start to finish. Bergeron showcased his extraordinary talent on the trumpet, complemented by the outstanding support of both musical groups.
The evening began with an exciting performance by the SBB of the Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol classic "Caravan," arranged by Steve Sykes, establishing a powerful start to their performance. Under the guidance of musical director Will Martin, who shared interesting stories in between the band's four songs, the SBB delivered a near flawless show, presenting fantastic interpretations of each musical composition. Bergeron took the spotlight as he joined the group for a performance of “Satchmo,” a Kenny Baker piece skillfully arranged by Allan Morrison. Not only did Bergeron demonstrate his signature sound in the upper register of his instrument, but he also displayed his versatility as he navigated through the dixieland influences of the song. The SBB ended their night with “Madiba” by Andy Scott.
Following a short break, the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra (SJO) took the stage, setting the tone for what would turn out to be an unforgettable musical experience. Their set was kicked off with a dynamic Sammy Nestico arrangement of George Gershwin’s timeless classic “Strike Up the Band,” showcasing the group's impeccable precision and energy. With a mesmerizing tenor saxophone solo by Aaron Salkeld, the audience was indeed prepped and ready for Bergeron to return.
SJO director Dean McNeill took a moment to introduce the audience to the remarkable trumpet player, Bergeron. Then the ensemble delved into a soul-stirring rendition of “A Friend Like Me” from Disney’s Aladdin songbook, with Bergeron front and centre. At this point it should be mentioned that Bergeron's trumpet tone was nothing short of astonishing, with a vibrant and powerful sound that soared through the higher registers with a piercing clarity that was both exhilarating and moving. Yet, beneath the brilliance and intensity of his playing, there was a warmth and richness that enveloped those present. It quickly became apparent why Bergeron is regarded as a highly skilled musician, as his performance exuded passion, artistry, and technical mastery.
To his credit, Bergeron had a lot of fun with his stage banter as he, between songs, almost took on the roll of a stand up comic drawing lots of laughs from the audience. In fact, Bergeron, in the little spare time that he has, enjoys listening to stand up comedians.
“I tell…. jokes and I consider myself a bit of a comedian,” Bergeron told NSMZ in an interview a few weeks back, “I really respect comedians. They're much like jazz musicians because you have to think on your feet. If something goes wrong, you have to be able to fight your way out of the corner.”
Some time ago, Bergeron had had a discussion with well known comedian Bill Burr. They both agreed that stand-up comedy and jazz improvisation share many similarities. Burr mentioned to Bergeron that when he gets ready for a show, he doesn't have a detailed plan but rather a general idea of how he wants things to unfold. Burr had emphasized to Bergeron the importance of being able to adapt and change direction when things don't go as expected. This dialogue is crucial for grasping Bergeron's performance approach.
“There's a lot of similarities there (between stand up comedy and music). Sometimes, if you get thrown a curve in music, the way you recover can be brilliant. It could also suck, but it could be good. You know, I think improvising is a series of miraculous recoveries. That's how I think about it anyway.”
All this being said, Bergeron did not appear to need to “recover” in any way shape or form. He played masterfully and was also very supportive of members of the SJO as they took solo choruses before and after him and, on two occasions, as evidenced in the arrangements of “Maynard and Waynard” and “When You Wish Upon a Star” played directly by his side.
The duet between Bergeron and SJO trumpeter Adam Streisel in "Maynard and Waynard" was originally composed for Bergeron and Maynard Ferguson. It was intended to showcase the impressive ranges of both musicians. Streisel faced a challenging task, but Bergeron did not go easy on him as they traded adlib solos. Despite the difficulties and challenges of the song and the task of playing alongside Bergeron, Streisel managed to hold his own during his section of the performance that was originally penned for Maynard. Throughout the piece, Streisel smiled in admiration of Bergeron's talent. Ultimately, Streisel demonstrated his skill and managed to keep up with the seasoned player as best as anyone could have in that same situation.
Concluding the evening, the final performance was a duet featuring Bergeron and trumpeter Kayla Solomon. Dr. Kayla Solomon, is currently serving as a visiting professor of trumpet at the University of Saskatchewan's music department and directing the campus’s Jazz Ensemble as well as instructing Jazz Pedagogy and other subjects. Performing alongside Bergeron provided the Saskatoon music community with a wonderful opportunity to appreciate Solomon's skills on her instrument. While "Maynard and Waynard" was an enthralling experience, "When You Wish Upon a Star" offered a more melodic swing rendition, serving as a poignant conclusion to an unforgettable night.
Of the many highlights of the show was the impressive solo work from local to Saskatchewan musicians in the band. The saxophone acrobatics by Regina’s Donny Kennedy who played solos on “High Clouds and a Good Chance of Wayne”, and “A Few Good Men” were world class. Sheldon Corbett, a regular member of SJO and local to Saskatoon favourite, demonstrated the consistency he's known for with solos on "A Friend Like Me" and "You Go To My Head". Ross Ulmer showcased his trombone ability with some great work on "A Friend Like Me", "High Clouds and a Good Chance of Wayne", and a solo feature on "For Sonny". Undoubtedly, the SJO is brimming with talent and has rightfully earned the praise and critical acclaim they have received over the years. All in all, “Trumpet Triumph” was a great kickoff to what will prove to be an SJO season of great quality and variety. Their next show, “Vocal Elegance” featuring two time juno winning vocalist Caity Gyorgy will take place on November 30th. For info, click HERE.
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