Woodland’s Pioneer High School Jazz ensemble joined Sacramento State’s very own for a night of funky beats and fresh entertainment Thursday evening in Capistrano’s music recital hall.

As a jazz lover myself I was particularly excited for the night’s festivities as I watched music majors play a number of different instruments proficiently ranging from the bass, saxophone, guitar, trumpet to even the drums.

Noticing a measly crowd as I walked in, a wiser audience was among the majority.

Sacramento State’s Jazz Ensemble was the first to begin with a cheerful tempo appropriately named Upswing.

As I listened to the songs, I felt an overwhelming sense of sophistication. Not knowing where that feeling came from, it reminded me how “grown up” jazz sounds, explaining the older crowd.

While most of the music played left me tapping my feet cheerfully through its entirety, one song in particular stood out in my mind as inferior.

A piece done by the Pioneer Jazz ensemble titled “Blue Skies” would have been far better had not the singer’s mundane voice muttered the music underneath it. The song would have been better without any singing whatsoever.

When the ensemble finished performing, Bobby Rogers, Woodland High School music director, took a few moments to talk about how fortunate the school has been in the music department.

“We are thankful to not have experienced any budget cuts in the music program on campus, which usually is the first to go,” he said. “In fact, we are going to be adding a string section to our program this year.”

Aside from the brief songs, each song had its own theme and a solo from a different musician to go along with it.

My favorite soloist, Joe Berry on the alto saxophone, began the last song of the night playing something that sounded like it came right out of “A Streetcar Named Desire.” A syncopated strand of keys that was hard to follow, but surely entertaining to watch while the drummer jammed right along with him, left me on the edge of my seat.

Aside from one smooth, calming song called “For Maria,” all of the songs had clean beats, were exceptionally uplifting and made me feel genuinely proud to have such a talented group of musicians on campus.

Nate Matthews, finance manager, was pleasantly surprised by the performance.

“I have never been to one of these before so I had no idea what this would be like,” he said. “But that one ‘For Maria’ song made me feel like I was going on a journey, it took me somewhere.”

Lea Wood, undeclared freshman, said the concert gave her inspiration.

“This concert makes me want to learn how to play an instrument. I love music so I might become a music major,” she said.

Steve Roach, program director, ended the concert on a high note, figuratively speaking.

“Live jazz music makes life better,” he said.

It certainly does.

Amber Wertman can be reached at [email protected]