Photography: Trinity University
KRTU-FM 91.7, Trinity University’s listener-supported radio station, threw the first bash of its Year of Jazz celebration, and based on the reaction from those who attended, it is going to be one long and lively party.
More than 2,500 San Antonians took advantage of the warm afternoon on Oct. 23 to enjoy music and other entertainment at the first Year of Jazz event, which KRTU hosted with the Brackenridge Park Conservancy: Sunday in Brackenridge Park: Jazz Family Showcase held at the Sunken Garden Theater.
The showcase opened with the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio providing the first musical performance of the afternoon.
While the Youth Orchestras played, about 20 local arts organizations which are partnering with KRTU in the Year of Jazz celebration, including the Instituto Cultural de Mexico, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, the San Antonio Museum of Art and the San Antonio Children’s Museum, hosted booths by the entrance to the theater offering activities for families.
Parents and their children could make paper crowns, construct a piñata or make chalk drawings on the asphalt walkway in front of the booths.
After the Youth Orchestras finished their performance, several of the arts organizations entertained the audience. The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Dance Company gave a ballet folkorico performance with young dancers wearing skeleton-inspired costumes, giving a nod to upcoming Dia de los Muertos celebrations coming up after Halloween.
In the late afternoon, Trinity president Dennis A. Ahlburg took the stage to welcome the audience to the jazz showcase.
“Trinity is proud to have a jazz station that not only plays world-class music, but also plays a very significant role in making our city a better place,” he said.
Ahlburg then introduced San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, who, with help from a musician playing a saxophone, read from the children’s book, “Charlie Parker Played Be Bop.” The children in the audience received a copy of the book.
“Jazz has played a great role in enlivening our city, and the Year of Jazz celebration punctuates the great cultural richness of San Antonio,” said Castro, after the reading, on why he took part in the showcase.
He also gave praise to KRTU and its partner organizations. “It is a fantastic and unique collaboration,” he said. “It is aimed directly at who we are as San Antonians.”
Following the mayor was the world premiere of “San Antonio Jazz Suite,” written by Aaron Prado, composer and former KRTU music director. Prado, who played the piano, was joined onstage by a 16-piece big band and a string quartet.
To help tell the story of San Antonio, Sean Elliott, the former San Antonio Spurs forward, provided narration that came between sections of the music.
The crowd was quickly captivated by what they heard. Many tapped their toes keeping the beat, and a few people were dancing in their seats. The audience enthusiastically applauded every solo and at the end of each section.
Elliott proved to be the right choice for narrator. He easily related to the crowd and even led them in a “go Spurs go” chant.
At the end of the suite, Prado and his jazz all-stars received a standing ovation. “Fantastic,” said Al Sonnenburg, a long-time jazz fan, after the premiere. “It rivals anything I’ve heard from Stan Kenton and all the other great jazz composers. It was beautiful.”
As the stars filled the nighttime sky, the San Antonio Symphony took to the stage for the final performance of the showcase. Led by conductor Troy Peters, the orchestra began with a smooth rendition of “Caravan” by Duke Ellington, followed by music from Debussy, a big band medley and an arrangement of George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.”
“We enjoyed it,” said Joe Aguilar, who came to the showcase with his wife, Eleanor, and their two daughters. “It was nice that there were activities for the kids. The music was really good. We are not jazz aficionados, but we liked it.”
“The atmosphere was good, the music was great and to be able to get this close to the symphony was wonderful,” Eleanor said, adding that they actually stayed past their daughters’ bedtime so they could hear the symphony.
For more information and a list of upcoming Year of Jazz events, visit www.yearofjazz.org.
