Mackenzie Hurlbert – General Assignment Reporter –
The deep resonance of a bass thumped through the air, a piano trickled down in a run of notes, and a guitar strummed out the melody. A three-man band, the Art of Trio entertained a crowd in Garner Recital Hall last Wednesday night on April 3. The group played a variety of chamber jazz music ranging from songs made famous by Bette Midler to jazzy tuned by Chet Baker. For five dollars students, faculty, and members of the community were able to enjoy a night of foot-tapping and head-bobbing music.
The Art of Trio band is led by bass player David Chevan, Southern Connecticut State University music professor and small ensembles director. Along with Chevan, the band includes Emmy award winning pianist Rex Cadwallader, and special guest. The night’s trio-completing guest was Jim Martin, a fellow SCSU staff member, on guitar.
Junior Patrick Kingsley attended the concert as an assignment for his music history class. “I don’t mind and the music’s nice, so it’s worth coming for that,” said Kingsley, a computer science major. When asked what he hoped to get out of the night’s performance, Kingsley answered, “Hopefully a good show and eventually a good grade.”
Chevan described the second song of the night with a little background on its originations and how it became well-known. It was made famous by Bette Midler in the 1991 movie “For the Boys,” but it had been first recorded back in the 1940’s when it was dubbed a “crooner” tune.
He started the concert by welcoming the audience and introducing his fellow performers. After a short description of the upcoming song, Chevan and company began their concert with an upbeat song by Chet Baker. Though the group did not rehearse before the show, the concert went smoothly and felt relaxed. “You’re hearing the rehearsal and the concert at the same time,” said Chevan to the audience. “And I hope you are enjoying both.”
The Art of Trio performs at least once a semester and has included a variety of special guests over the years.
Along with the Art of Trio concerts, Chevan runs two ensembles dubbed “Bassology” and “The Afro-Semitic Experience.” Chevan also has a past with Cadwallader. The two have played duo concerts together since 1997. The two have turned the duo performance into The Art of Trio, a series of seasonal concerts including special guests.
Kingsley said he had a past playing music himself. “I used to. Back in middle school, and even elementary school, I used to play violin. I also used to play guitar and piano,” he said. “I never got to an expert level, but I was pretty good for a while. It was fun.”
