Club M2 was getting jazzy on Saturday. Professor Steven Snyder, guitarist Bobby Broom, and drummer Kenny Phelps came together in a classic jazz-organ trio to play standards ranging from Sam Jones compositions to Wes Montgomery classics.
“It’s incredible to play in this space with these illustrious musicians and great guys,” Broom said after an hour of playing.
Broom acknowledged that they were “figuring it out as we go along.” The group had no experience as a band, but were still able to play a multitude of songs together.
Club M2 has been a venue where students, faculty, and locals can experience world class 21st century musicians and participate with other student musicians and professors. “It’s always been a goal of ours to have our musicians be able to perform in spaces outside of of Kresge and Thompson,” said Snyder. “Spaces like M2, Almost Home, and The Fluttering Duck are great for students to not only play, but to reach out to the community”.
Club M2 opened in June 2015 with a ribbon cutting ceremony that featured a performance by Yo-Yo Ma. The space has housed multiple events such as Opera & Wine, Instrument Petting Zoos, faculty recitals, and student jam sessions all with the goal of integrating the Greencastle’s downtown square with the student body.
Junior Taulbee Jackson was excited to seeing practical musicians play in practical spaces. “It’s great to see DePauw stress the importance of music that’s a bit more accessible to the modern day ‘working musician’ such as Jazz,” said Jackson. “Not many people make money playing Bach, whereas plenty of musicians make solid wages playing old Jazz or Blues tunes around their respective towns.”
As the concert went on each musician stood out in their own right. Mesmerizing guitar progressions by Broom swung into equally impressive organ solos by Snyder, while Phelps kept everyone’s feet tapping in time throughout the performance.
Broom, whose has toured with the bands Chicago and Steely Dan, spoke on the rise of his craft from popular music to something that is considered high-art and thus taught at collegiate institutions.
“It’s finally getting its due as an art form,” said Broom. “Jazz has always had a connectivity to its musicians. It’s an oral tradition originally. When I was learning high schools and colleges didn’t have programs. We learned from records and bandstands”.
“It’s a different way to enjoy different music,” said Snyder. “We’re excited that these kind of shows and can bring in such an awesome crowd of students, parents, and locals.”
Gabriel Alegria's Afro-Peruvian Sextet will perform next at Club M2 on Friday, Oct. 14.