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On the Campus: November 22, 1995
All that JazzEnsemble that started in the '70s faces nomadic rehearsals, uncertain futureBy Jeremy L. Caplan '97 When Tony Branker '80 arrived at Princeton as a freshman in 1976, formalized jazz was new to the campus music scene. Two decades later, Branker, now director of the jazz program, leads four ensembles, a jazz community that has established itself among the collegiate elite. Madden attributes much of PUJE's success to Branker, who he says is "interested not only in our performance of the music, but in our understanding of its context in the larger story of jazz." Until the mid-70's, there was no formal jazz program, though underground groups and jazz-lovers had performed occasionally in the '60s. (For example, Barry Miles '69, who went on to great success as a fusion keyboardist in the '70s, got friends together on occasion to jam.) But jazz at Princeton blossomed with the formation of PUJE in 1975, and by 1980, a core group of talented musicians had formed. Jordan and Branker were part of an all-student fusion group called Timepiece, and other groups popped up to supplement the Concert Jazz Band. Director Justin Dicioccio took charge of the band between 1980 and 1984. He was followed by a succession of part-time instructors, which ended with Branker taking the directorship in 1989. When he arrived, PUJE was a student organization, independent of the music department. It had little help covering its own budget, so students played the eating-club circuit and off-campus gigs. When financial concerns led the student organizations' office to drop its support, the ensemble's survival was threatened. Fortunately, the music department agreed to take PUJE under its wing. "We now have budget support from the department and some financial security," says Branker. Though the department's help has made a big difference in the past few years, this year has been tough for the band. Since the Woolworth Music Building has been under construction since June (for repair and expansion of its facilities), the music organizations it housed have had to move to temporary quarters. In the transition, PUJE seems to have been less than lucky. It has been virtually nomadic this fall, a situation that has been far from ideal for the musicians. Without the storage space they had in Woolworth, band members have had to lug their instruments to rehearsals sites that have moved around campus several times. Arrangements with Taplin Auditorium, the University Chapel, and Richardson Auditorium fell through early this year, so PUJE tried rehearsing in the theater at 171 Broadmead, several blocks from campus. But when McCarter Theatre needed to use the space for rehearsals, the band had to move again. "They wanted to put us in the ROTC rifle range in the armory," Branker says. "They gave me a tour, and there were spent shellcases and gunpowder everywhere, and the place was an echo chamber." The musicians now play in a training room in the Armory. Next year, they'll move again-perhaps to the Princeton Ballet theater on Alexander Road. A larger issue facing jazz at Princeton is the creation of a full-time jazz professorship. According to Branker, the music department is working to create such a position, but if they cannot, his position as an Associate Visiting Professor of Music could end. "We may be facing a feast or famine" situation, he says. "By the end of 1997, there will either be a full-time position, or what exists now will be dissolved. It would seem ludicrous to eliminate the jazz professorship entirely, but if no one sees this as a pressing concern, it's possible that it could end up happening." For now, jazz at Princeton continues. PUJE has a special concert planned for December with guest soloist Jimmy Heath and tentative plans to return to the Notre Dame Festival this spring. Despite the problems, jazz members are excited to be playing, according to Branker. "I love these students. They are in love with this music, and they have a real thirst for jazz."
Jeremy Caplan '97, an undergraduate studying at the Woodrow Wilson School, is also a contributing editor to the Nassau Weekly. |