As the semester draws to a close, The Jazz Underground Series is preparing for its spring lineup and is looking for a sponsor for the series Now in its third year, it has grown from four shows a year to six.
The series’ creator, Tony Dagradi, an associate professor of music and a tenor saxophone player for the band Astral Project, coordinates the series. He said he based the series on something similar that he had done as a graduate student at Tulane.
The idea behind Jazz Underground is to give people an intimate jazz club setting. But attendees exchange the smell of a smoke-filled room for the food, coffee and beer that the Underground provides.
Local professionals are matched up to the tribute artist they are most likely to emulate and play that artist’s music.
The lights are dimmed, and sofas are moved to create a semicircle around the musicians, making a cozy atmosphere in which to chill out. “To be able to create a jazz club atmosphere, we wanted to find a really cool place on campus,” said Reid Wick, publicity coordinator for the college of music.
The series is financed by the College of Music, but organizers are looking for a sponsor to pay for the shows. Series sponsorship would run approximately $5,000 per year. The expenses would be able to pay between $600-800 per concert for talent.
Jazz Underground is held three times a semester on Thursday nights at 7:30. in the Underground. The shows generally last an hour and a half but up to two hours on occasion. Loyola students are admitted to the shows for free. Other students pay $5, and the general public pays $10.
Attendance has been good with about 100 people per show, but sometimes its standing room only, organizers said. For the tribute to John Coltrane an estimated 300 or more showed up, Wick said.
“It was so full, we couldn’t put another person in there,” he said.
Wick said that the program’s goal is three-fold. It gives another cultural enrichment opportunity, develops an audience for jazz and pays tribute to musicians who deserve it, he said.
Past shows have included Clarence Johnson III in a tribute to John Coltrane, Steve Masakowski’s Tribute to Joe Pass and Astral Project Graciously salutes Alvin “Red” Tyler.
“When the audience is in your face, you feel connected,” Dagradi said.Next spring, the Jazz Underground will feature:* J.J.-Mark Mullins’ Tribute to J.J. Johnson, Feb. 6* Sunny Side Up-Tony Dagradi plays Sonny Rollins, March 13* Mr. P.C.-Roland Guerin plays Paul Chambers, April 3Information is available at music.loyno.edu/montage/jazzatloyola.html.
