Modern jazz pianists Ellis Marsalis and David Torkanowsky met on stage in Loyola’s Nunemaker Hall the evening of Thursday, Oct. 27 to entertain audience members with an hour and a half long show of piano interchange — a rarity in the piano world according to Anthony Dagradi, professor of music.

At age 81, Marsalis, regarded as a premier modern jazz pianist in New Orleans, played the piano with ease, and Torkanowsky held his own as the pair performed duets and took turns dominating the stage. They played original songs and some popular ballads, ending the show with Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”

“Jazz is just such a true creation of America; it just could not happen any place else,” Dagradi, who coordinated the event, said. “All of the social circumstances in the U.S., bad and good, brought jazz into existence. Add that to all of the cultures that influenced the creation of jazz — Latin American, African American, European, the list goes on. I’m just glad I can bring that to
this university.”

The show’s audience included Loyola students and members of the New Orleans community.

“Honestly, as a jazz musician, it was just nice to see such masters of the craft performing together,” Julian Josiah, saxophonist and jazz studies freshman, said.

“The level of skill was incredible, and the way that both of them were able to command attention and energy from the crowd truly shows the level of experience these guys have,” he added. “It was definitely a priceless experience because it was both one I will remember for a while, and I got to go for free.”

Last week’s concert took place as part of the College of Music and Fine Arts’ Jazz Underground Performance Series, a program aimed at garnering a stronger interest in jazz from the Loyola student body. According to Dagradi, the Jazz Underground series previously held performances in Satchmo’s Lounge but has moved its events to Nunemaker Hall following the completion of the hall’s recent renovation.

Dagradi hopes more people have experiences like Josiah’s. There are more Jazz Underground events planned this semester and next. The jazz faculty will host a Duke Ellington tribute Nov. 17 and the second annual Jazz All Star Jam Feb. 9. The Jazz All Star Jam is scheduled to include the same seven jazz musicians featured in last year’s performance. Admission to all Jazz Underground events is free to students, and more information about upcoming events may be found on Loyola’s website under the College of Music and Fine Arts.