 "Photo: Chris Sloan/Poly Post")
After more than a year's hiatus, the Kellogg Soul Music Ensemble's performance, held Tuesday evening in the Recital Hall, displayed hidden talents that brought soul back to the music department.
"Last night's show was a chance for our group to perform and show the music department, friends and family what we had accomplished over the quarter," said Ryann Clover, a featured vocalist in the show.
Tuesday night's performance was one of the biggest since the return of the ensemble in winter quarter. The ensemble had been absent from the music department for more than a year and was recently revived again by music professor Mark Chubb.
During winter quarter, the group was so small that it was only able to play during a noon-hour concert. The ensemble increased from 11 members last quarter to 19 spring quarter.
"I feel good. I'm very proud of the students, and I think that this was a great starting point for rebuilding this ensemble," said Chubb.
The recital featured 14 different songs that embodied the soul music genre and a few pieces from rhythm and blues as well. The show was produced and directed by Chubb.
"When soul music is discussed, there exists the music, which is deceptive because many people think that it's easy to perform. And I wanted a good show," said Chubb. "That's the other part of the culture of soul music and pop music in general. You don't just go to hear the music performed - you go to see a good show."
Soul Music Ensemble is part of the ethnomusicology ensembles that are on campus. This performance was one of 20 that the Cal Poly music department hosted during the spring quarter.
"Every ensemble in the music department has the opportunity to put on a concert," said Michael Mariano, a third-year music education student. "So it was nice being able to offer something a little different from the more traditional shows we normally put on and play music that can reach out to a wider audience on campus."
The ensemble began the night with the piece "Ain't No Sunshine," written by singer/songwriter Bill Withers. The band and the vocalists had great enthusiasm and energy, which resulted in thunderous claps and giant roars from the audience.
Raeanne Pfeifer sung "Chain of Fools" and, despite the fact that she is new to the soul music genre, she personified the right mood and somber emotions of the song.
"Walk on By," sung by Felipe Orozco, brought a melodious and velvety sound to the R&B song. He also showed off his talents by playing a bass solo during the song that really had the crowd going.
"I was very pleased how it turned out, especially considering how some of the preparations were last minute. I was personally happy that I got to sing on 'Walk on By,'" he said.
"Pick Up the Pieces" was the only song of the night that was completely instrumental. A piano, saxophone, guitar and many other instruments were present during the performance. It was a great song choice coming into the second half of the show. The band exploded with passion and rhythm.
The performance ended with a rendition of India.Arie's "I Chose," which incorporated the sounds of neo soul, blues and R&B. The music coming from the band pulsated throughout the recital hall and ended with a standing ovation from the audience.
"After the concert, I was just elated," said Sherinda Bryant, a third-year music business student. "I wanted to go grab each member and hug them and tell them how awesome they are."
Despite a few hiccups and sound difficulties typical of a small performance, the hour and a half was filled with various songs that demonstrated a wide range of soul and R&B music. Although most of the recitalists had never studied soul music, their eight weeks of practicing really paid off.
"Professor Chubb stressed the importance of putting on a performance rather than just singing songs, and with the recital hall at night we were able to give a cooler and better-sounding show," said Orozco.
The Kellogg Soul Music Ensemble plans to stick around for a while, and plans for a bigger and better production are in the works for next year.
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