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Last concert is the beginning of something new for Jazz V members
For the members of the high school jazz quartet Jazz In V, their last concert was full of feeling.
The concert, held at the Performing Arts Center of MetroWest early July, was a farewell as quartet members, saxophonist Isaac Young, pianist Jason Yeager, bassist Kevin Moy and drummer Bennet Perez, are going their separate ways to college.
After playing four years together, the young musicians offered their last concert at the same place where they began performing, which made the occasion even more special.
"It was like coming full circle,'' said FHS graduate Young, who is going to Hartt School, Conn. "It was appropriate to begin and end in Framingham. It was surreal. We had a lot of fun, but we couldn't help thinking, 'This is it for now.' It was hard, but we opened up, took a deep breath and said, 'Let's just play.'''
After the last concert, the experimental quartet that incorporated funk, hip-hop, and Latin music into its performances is going into a "hiatus,'' said Young.
The other band members are also going to college to pursue musical studies. Yeager will enroll in a joint program with Tufts University and New England Conservatory; Moy is going to Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio; and Perez is going to California Institute of the Arts. They hope to play together during summers.
In their four years together, the young musicians became serious about the craft, as they began performing in school events, private parties, and in venues such as the Performing Arts Center of MetroWest in Framingham, the Center for the Arts in Natick, and Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge. The group also produced two CDs, "Catalyst,'' and "Original Flavor,'' which included some original compositions.
Originally a quintet, the group decided to keep the name Jazz in Five after one musician left the group. Childhood friends, Young and Yeager co-founded the group in 2001 with Perez, who attended preschool with Young and middle school with Yeager. Moy, who was Yeager's classmate at Milton Academy, joined the group, rounding out the quartet.
Having spent so much time together, rehearsing at least once a week and performing in different venues helped the group build a unique relationship among them, which they all will miss, said Young.
"We were like brothers,'' said Young. `We saw each other grow. As a band, we have something special.''
The young musicians, who choose jazz because of its elements of surprise and unpredictability, play traditional jazz, but prefer improvisation and being spontaneous with their music.
Like his music pals, Young said he doesn't want to be the next American idol, but he hopes to make a living out of performing. Like his pals, he's counting the days for college to start.
"It's only 40 more days to go to the school of my dreams,'' said Young. "From then on, I'll get to play music for the rest of my life, I'll get to live my dream, my passion. I'm scared, but I can't wait.''
- By Liz Mineo/ NEWS STAFF Friday, July 22, 2005
Isaac Young and company blend a soulful concoction of be-bob, funk, ethereal vibes, and straight ahead jazz with their album, The Alpha State. You may feel like you have taken a step back in time with the opening track, The Cell; reminiscent of a Miles Davis vibe, also to note, The Trane that Miles Took. Pushing the button on our time machine takes us back even further with the track Camelot (With the Blue Afro), which paints of a picture of medieval times. But before we get stuck knee deep in the past, Isaac brings us back to present times with fresh instrumentation on each track. Isaac weaves his saxophone through 9 songs of inspired jazz and soul to fill your mind no matter what time period you’re in.
If you’re like me, you’re always digging at the bottom of the crate to find the music that is “underground.” Music archeologist, maybe? Ok, maybe not. But if you have found The Alpha State, you have found a gem.
This album continues the trend that great music is not needed by signing to a major label. Get this album and help support our independent artists.
Other notable tracks are Kemuri, a down tempo, day-dreamy song, followed up by the upbeat Migyim.
For more information on the Isaac Young Quartet, visit:
http://www.isaacyoungjazz.com/live/
- Hyda James Hill (4dasoul.com)
Discography
The Alpha State (LP) - Isaac Young Quartet
Original Flavor (LP) - Jazz In V
Catalyst (LP) - Jazz In V
Photos
Bio
Young has been performing a mixture of fusion, bebop, funk and traditional jazz throughout New England since 2001. One of his first professional venues was the Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, MA, where as lead saxophone for Jazz In V he opened for World Leaders, a group known for its international jazz fusion sound.
Other Greater Boston jazz clubs where Youngs groups have headlined include: Zeitgeist Gallery in Cambridge, MA; The Natick Center for the Arts in Natick, MA; the Performing Arts Center of MetroWest and The Amazing Things Arts Center, both in Framingham, MA.
As Young gained prominence as an up-and-coming jazz musician he was invited to perform in a number of Greater Hartford venues, including: Szechuan Tokyo, Sully's Pub, Vito's by the Park, Avon Old Farms Inn, Vegas Boulevard, Constitution Plaza, Blue Back Square and the Comet Lounge. In 2007 Young and his quartet opened for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra at the Fourth of July celebration in Enfield, CT. The groups energetic encore performance following the fireworks was enjoyed by a crowd of more than 40,000.
Young has also been fortunate enough to play with the upcoming funk group The Goosepimp Orchestra, where they shared the bill with renowned artists like Max Creek, Strangefolk, and The Breakfast at Wormtown's "StrangeCreek Music Festival." Young's music is also featured in the upcoming independent film "A Tree of Contemplation."
Young graduated in 2009 Summa Cum Laude from the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School in West Hartford, CT, studying under an impressive roster of renowned jazz artists, including: Jimmy Greene, Rene McLean, Steve Davis, Nat Reeves, Chris Casey, Kris Allen, and Peter Woodard. Young has also participated in numerous master classes with Eric Alexander, Jim Rotundi, David Hazeltine, Joe Farnsworth, Yusef Lateef, Barry Harris, Bill Belle, Dena DeRose, Alan Palmer, and Eddie Henderson. In addition, Young has spent two seasons performing in the prestigious Hartt School Big Band Concert Jazz Ensemble.
Eager to impart his love and knowledge of jazz and music in general to the next generation, Young teaches saxophone, flute, clarinet, piano and jazz improvisational techniques both in West Hartford and privately throughout New England.
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