The rhythmic sounds of jazz filled the Mary Ellen Orr Auditorium at John Wood Community College on March 21, marking a historic moment for the Quincy music community. 

The inaugural “Generations of Jazz” concert showcased a unique collaboration among jazz bands from Quincy University, JWCC, the Quincy Junior High School, and the PMO Jazz Band, offering a night of musical diversity and unity.

The concert featured performances by the QU Jazz Band, JWCC Jazz Band, Quincy Junior High School’s 7th and 8th grade Jazz Bands, and the PMO Jazz Band. This event was a celebration of jazz music across generations, highlighting the talents of young students and seasoned musicians alike.

Christine Damm, QU Dean of Fine Arts and Communication, played a pivotal role in organizing the concert. Damm emphasizes the opportunity for growth and exposure the concert provides to young musicians.

“I am so excited for this event because we are getting the QU Jazz band to play in front of an audience that doesn’t normally see us,” Damm said.

The concert aimed to inspire and engage students in music, aligning with the celebration of “Music in Our Schools Month.” 

“I’m excited to show the younger kids what QU jazz band can do,” Raven Sweeney said, highlighting the importance of music education and the impact events like this can have on younger musicians.

Each group performed two pieces independently, showcasing a variety of jazz styles and compositions. The evening concluded with a collaborative performance by the QU and JWCC jazz bands, symbolizing the unity and shared passion for jazz music within the Quincy community.

The bands were under the direction of a team of dedicated educators and musicians, including Damm, Jessica Snider, Sara Fairbrother, Edward Sailer, and Jill Steinkamp. Their collective efforts brought this inaugural event to life.

Despite this being the first-ever “Generations of Jazz” concert, plans for a future event are already underway. While dates and venues remain uncertain, the success of the event has paved the way for this to become a cherished annual tradition in Quincy’s music scene.

“This is the very first time we’ve been talking about collaborating for a while, but we finally got our ducks in a row, and we’re doing it tonight,” Damm stated, reflecting on the journey to make the concert a reality. 

The event not only showcased the talents of participating musicians but also served as a bridge connecting different generations of jazz enthusiasts in Quincy.

As the Quincy community looks forward to future “Generations of Jazz” concerts, the inaugural event will be remembered as a night that brought together musicians and audiences of all ages, celebrating the universal language of jazz music.