Seniors Serenaded: Jazz Caberet

Three jazz groups performed at the Exeter Senior Citizen Center as part of the Jazz Cabaret last Tuesday night. The cabaret is a collaboration between Jazz Band and Women’s chorus. On top of Jazz Band and Women’s chorus, a jazz trio consisting of uppers Kieran Minor, Orlando Kahan and Kwasi Opong-Baddu, performed.Kahan shared his thoughts on the performance. “It was good fun. We just played our part and enjoyed playing jazz for the audience. People came up and said that they enjoyed the performance, so that was great to hear as well,” Kahan said. “It’s always nice to hear that the audience had a great time at your performance.”Others had a fun experience as well. “I enjoyed performing in the jazz cabaret,” prep Yena Cho said. “I thought we sounded a lot better singing with jazz accompaniment because it added a nice beat to many of our songs.” She continued, “We [women’s choir] rehearsed a lot of jazz pieces throughout the year and thought that it would be fun to perform with the jazz band.”The cabaret featured a wide range of music, spanning from Broadway to 1950s pop to be bop. ”I played in the upperclassmen combo with Kwasi and Orlando. We did two Dizzy Gillespie songs, and had our teacher Mr. Jennison sit it on sax. It was a great time! The audience loved the variety,” Minor said. “The jazz and the broadway was very nostalgic for them.”The annual concert allows the school to give back to the larger Exeter community, while also showcasing student talent. Student performers excitedly reported that the senior citizens enjoyed their work. “The audience was thrilled with our performance, at the end several people came up to congratulate us,” lower Ruby Epler said.Lower Morgan McKiernan also noted the appraisal from the audience. “After the concert we had a bunch of people come up to us and say how they love hearing us sing and that they always look forward to our concerts,” said McKiernan.Senior Annie Seminara explained the success of the cabarets. “The audience generally enjoys the cabarets because of their uniqueness. Plus, there was food, which always helps. I'm sure Ms. Strazdes got loads of compliments afterwards.”After the event, refreshments, including cream puffs and soft drinks, were served. McKiernan said, “I loved serving the desserts to people; it was fun and it was great to be participating in such an event.”Seminara also enjoyed serving refreshments, adding that the jazz played a role in the atmosphere of the event. “It's fun to work with Jazz Band and serve food and perform in a more casual manner than, say, Glee Club or Concert Choir would.”