NMU Jazz Combo to provide live study music before finals
Members of the NMU Jazz Combo, including Owen Edwards soloing on alto saxophone, perform during an NMU jazz concert. A group of five students will perform in the library on Tuesday to provide more relaxing studying music for students.
November 30, 2021
For the second year in a row, the NMU Jazz Combo will be setting a relaxing tone for the upcoming finals week by performing an hour-long set in the lower level of the library. The five-member student band will be in the library on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. to provide live studying music or calm entertainment for those looking for a study break.
“We are performing in the library as a treat to the students who are busy studying for the upcoming finals week,” alto saxophonist Owen Edwards said. “We know it can be a stressful time and jazz music can often help relieve stress due to its chilled and laid back nature.”
Edwards has been a part of the Jazz Combo for over a year along with Ethan Matteson on guitar, Garrett Peacock on tenor saxophone, Ryan Wilson on drums and Oskar Gaenssle on bass.
They will be performing a number of classic jazz standards as well as original pieces written by Edwards and Mark Flaherty, head of the music department. Their selections will be carefully chosen to include more relaxing jazz pieces to not create a distraction for those who are studying.
“I’m very excited to be able to perform a slightly different style than we normally play, as we play very quiet and calmer music than we normally would,” Matteson said. “I’m also excited to play with this group, as I also have a lot of fun performing with this group.”
For those who would like to listen to the band but are unable to attend in person, the library will be livestreaming the event on their Facebook page.
“I am looking forward to sharing this music with the students at NMU once again, during a time when everyone is stressed out it always helps to enjoy great live music to help brighten the mood in everyone,” Edwards said.
The Jazz Combo hopes their music will help others relax and study before finals, but it also provides the musicians with a similar feeling.
“It gives us a chance to bring our music [to those] who aren’t typically able to listen to it,” Matteson said. “I personally love doing it to give me some time to relax and reset before the busy finals week.”
