Rhiannon Mim

Guitarist Matthew Von Doran performed with the Reed Gratz Band March 9 as part of the University of La Verne’s Faculty Concert Series in Founders Auditorium. The band consists of ULV’s Gratz and Steve Biondo along with alumni Andrew Ford and Michael Bennett. Van Doran is currently touring the United States with his jazz band, the Matthew Von Doran Group.

Laura Bucio
Assistant Editor

The audience sat back, relaxed and indulged in the music on March 9 when the Reed Gratz Band gave University of La Verne students, faculty and staff a jazz performance full of passion and energy.

The band members came together for the first time for the performance. The Reed Gratz Band was composed of ULV professors and alumni including Professor of Music Reed Gratz on the piano, ULV Music Coordinator Steven Biondo on percussion, Matthew Von Doran on the guitar, ULV alumnus Andrew Ford playing bass and ULV alumnus Michael Bennett at the drums.

“Professor Gratz astonishes his students once again” said Michael Gonzales, sophomore movement and sports science major.

“He has a great passion for music which is greatly reflected on his teaching as well,” he added.

The performance filled almost every seat available in Founders Auditorium.

The night began with a song titled “Show me some I.D.” where Gratz began the piece by playing a solo on the piano, and had the band accompany him as the song went on. Next followed, “Crescent Bay,” “View from the South” and “Mr. Mike,” which had a faster pace than the songs played at the beginning of the night.

Gratz explained that the next piece, “Blue Ring,” was written for his wife to commemorate their 12 years of marriage.

The piece had a very smooth and romantic tone to it that captivated the audience and earned applause in the middle of the song.

“Tom” was a piece inspired by Brazilian jazz composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, also known as Tom.

Bennett took the opportunity to share his passion for the music in “Stratuspunk” when the rest of the band put down their instruments and enjoyed Bennett’s solo performance that energized the audience.

“That’s what happens when you give the kid of the group a little space,” Gratz said.

Gratz finished the performance with a song called “Yo quiero el pulpito” which was much faster than the other songs and had a tropical feel to it.

“We just completed our tour; we traveled three miles,” Gratz said. “With gas prices we can’t afford to go any further.”

This is the second presentation for the Reed Gratz Band. The first one took place at the Pickford Auditorium at Claremont McKenna College.

“It was great with well written music,” said Ron Gonzales, ULV alumnus. “It is great to see that ULV is supporting the arts.”

The band enjoyed the performance just as much as the audience.

“I thought it went really well, it was nice crowd tonight,” Ford said. “The crowd responded well to the solos.”

Gratz is on the Advisory Board of the American Jazz Institute and has received degrees from the New England ?Conservatory and the University of Miami. He received many awards including Senior Fulbright Lectureships and an Excellence in Teaching award at ULV. He has taught in many universities in the U.S. and in Amsterdam. Some of his recently released CDs include “Below Sea Level,” “View from the South,” and “The Reed Gratz Band featuring Michael O’Neal.”

Laura Bucio can be reached at lbucio@ulv.edu.