Zachery Simpkins
zas004@marietta.edu
On November 15th Marietta College saw the hard work and preparation of both Floodstage and the jazz band pay off live on stage. Floodstage is an acapella vocal ensemble made up of Marietta College students. The concert was held in the Gathering Place and was open to the public for free.
Floodstage performed five songs featuring different soloists with each one. The songs that were performed included: I’m Still Standing by Elton John featuring Lexi Sabatino, Finn Hall, and Rebecca Young, You Belong with Me by Taylor Swift featuring Megan Mestuzzi, Linger by the Cranberries featuring Victoria Humphrey, Warriors by Imagine Dragons featuring Maurice Riley, and Love on Top by Beyonce featuring Maddie Reheard. I’m Still Standing was performed with choreography and vocals to match the spirit of Elton John back in 1983.
The jazz band performed many charts for the crowd featuring multiple soloists throughout the tunes. The songs the jazz band performed were: Listen Here by Eddie Harris, Blues in the Closet by Oscar Pettiford, Contemplation by McCoy Tyner, RL’s by Snarky Puppy, and Sonnymoon for Two by Sonny Rollins. The soloists for these tunes were Antigone Hall on Viola, Zachery Simpkins on Trumpet, Octavio Padron on Trombone, Bryn Carter on Guitar, Emma Reed on Flute, Gracelyn Staley on Saxophone, Ashley Manion on piano, Cole Mcintyre on bass.
Not only did Floodstage and the jazz band perform their own music, but they collaborated with one another. A modern tune called Falling Behind by Laufey was sung by Victoria Humphrey while the rhythm section and Emma Reed on flute played in support. The last collaborative tune to round out the concert was Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone by Ella Fitzgerald. The jazz band started off the tune with a loud and exciting introduction leading into Floodstage’s vocals. The jazz band’s Antigone Hall and Emma Reed soloed on the chart to accompany Floodstage.
The talent of Floodstage and the jazz band were shown in full force during the Fall Concert, and they can’t wait to do it again in the Spring.
