Kirkwood Community College hosted the Jazz Jam in Iowa Hall on Sept. 23. The group consisted of the college’s Jazz Band and Director of Instrumental Music Chris Navarrete.
While many of the songs played were instrumentals, a handful were not. The voice of the Jazz Jam was Nina Torkelson, music major.
As she began to sing, all conversation in the area stopped. She made heads turn and stay that way until the end of the song.
As she took a break she had answered a few questions relating to the event and jazz music itself. Torkelson said she specialized in Jazz. “because there is no right or wrong answer with jazz,” she said.
Torkelson added that her biggest inspiration is the other musicians around her, that much being proven with how seamlessly the band flowed through the songs during the time they performed.
Navarrete discussed why he prefers jazz, stating he has such appreciation for the artform.
“Why jazz? It’s an American artform. It’s accessible to so many other genres,” said Navarrete.
“It’s something I’m passionate about. It’s something worth sharing with the Kirkwood Community.”
The band continued to play through the hour, playing jazz classics and turning Iowa Hall into its very own jazz concert hall.
Upcoming Jazz Jam sessions will be Oct. 16, Oct. 28 and Nov. 11, from 11:15 a.m.-12:10 p.m. on the Iowa Hall Stage.
The event is free and open to all Kirkwood students, faculty and staff.
Categories: Art & Life
