The soft glow of the stage lights caught the polished brass of the horn section as a hush fell over the Main Stage Theater on May 1. With a quick count-off from conductor Mario Silva, the silence broke into the rhythmic pulse of a bass, and the crisp snap of the drums.
The Las Positas College Jazz Ensemble filled the hall with the sounds of the jazz era, transporting the audience from a college auditorium into the heart of a mid-century jazz club.
From the breezy 1960s rhythms of Antônio Jobim’s “How Insensitive” to the driving 1940s swing of Duke Ellington’s “In a Mellow Tone,” the concert served as a way for student musicians to show off their semester of hard work. For Silva, the evening was a success both on and off the podium.
“The turnout was good, and the band performed the best that they’ve performed all semester which is the goal,” Silva said.
In a walk down memory lane, Silva stepped away from the conductor’s baton to join the ensemble on the clarinet, the first instrument he ever played.. He expressed that these concerts bring people together for one purpose: to enjoy music.
For students, the concert served as a lesson on the art of performing — many students mentioned reaching their “flow state,” a state of complete immersion and intense focus, where skill perfectly matches the challenge.
Student performer Korben Reyes, who is part of the trombone line, found that rhythm during a solo during “In a Mellow Tone,” a moment he described as a delicate balance of preparation and presence.
“You gotta think about what you wanna do, what kind of vocabulary you wanna put out there to the audience,” Reyes said. “Of course, referencing what you’ve been studying over the entire semester … definitely putting yourself out there and just being able to have a great time.”
For performer Zachary Boley, the highlight of the show was the final song, expressing how he felt the ensemble had reached the peak of the performance together.
“Everything just felt locked together at that point … I just felt connected with all the other instrumentalists,” Boley said.
Beyond the music, the program aims to bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world. Cindy Browne Rosefield, a faculty member in the music department, noted that these concerts function as a final exam for the students to show what they’ve learned.
“Concerts like these play a vital role in student development,” Rosefield said. “They provide a structured, but real-world environment where students build not only musical ability, but also professionalism, adaptability and communication skills.”
The program also encourages students to experiment with new roles. Regina Magpoc, a music department student assistant whose primary instrument is the bass, took the stage as a vocalist to perform multiple arrangements.
“Growth is uncomfortable,” Magpoc said. “I used to hate my voice … but being part of this class and really getting myself out there, putting myself in a more uncomfortable zone … I gained confidence.”
As the ensemble closed out the night, Silva emphasized that the value of the performance extended beyond a grade book.
“Live music is a precious gem and rarity of human expression that needs to be celebrated as many times as possible in life,” Silva said.
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TOP PHOTO: Members of the Las Positas College Jazz Ensemble perform during their spring concert at the Barbara F. Mertes Center for the Arts on May 1. The performance featured a variety of classic and contemporary big band arrangements, conducted by Mario Silva. (Photo by Angelina An/ The Express)
Angelina An is a staff writer for The Express. Follow her on X @angiebee_919.
