Jazz Club welcomes German quartet

The Penn State Jazz Club put a swing into the spring semester last night by sponsoring an extraordinary performance by the Munich-based Modern String Quartet at the Music Building.

Founded in 1983 in Germany, the quartet plays newly arranged jazz classics, improvisations, and original works, as well as classical music. The group writes personal arrangements of well-known pieces, such as those by George Gershwin and Dizzy Gillespie.

The violins are even played as banjos and guitars.

The ensemble has toured widely in Europe and the U.S., as well as Southeast Europe, Africa and the Middle East as cultural ambassadors for the Federal Republic of Germany. They have released several compact discs which have received much praise.

The quartet is comprised of violinists Jorg Widmoser and Winfried Zrenner, violist Andreas Horicht and cellist Jost H. Hecker.

The music is surprising. At first it's jazzy with rhythmic structures, harmonies and blue notes, but then switches into a soothing, classical sound. The show also contains jazz standards.

At last night's performance, the group played "Summertime," by Gershwin, "A Night in Tunisia," by Gillespie in a bebop style and "Mercy Mercy," by Joe Zawinul. The old songs offered a recognizable sound, but their original performance gave the audience an unexpected twist.

One Jazz Club member said he enjoys performances, like these, that the club brings to the University. He said the club is filled with jazz enthusiasts like himself.

"There are not a lot of people around who listen to jazz," said Wally Janusz (freshman-division of undergraduate studies). "I am able to discuss jazz with people who appreciate it."

The members of the club are trying to bring a variety of musicians to the campus and offer more choices for students. Upcoming Jazz Club-sponsored performances in February include a much-anticipated visit from drummer T.S. Monk and, later in the month, a performance by saxophonist James Carter.