It's the Sunday of Family Weekend and the weather is wet and dreary. What better to do than to stay on campus and listen to some sultry jazz? I am certain these were the thoughts going through people's minds as they folded up their umbrellas and piled into Levin Ballroom for the Jazzfest. People waited patiently at candlelit dinner tables to share this monumental performance.Ken Davis '66, the sponsor of this event, gave an introductory speech explaining the history behind Jazzfest. His father had organized Louis Armstrong concerts to collect donations for the Brandeis Jazz Ensemble and the Brandeis Music Department. Two years ago, his mother, in her last words, asked Ken to organize one more concert in memory of his father and for the love of jazz.

The Brandeis Jazz Ensemble then showcased their best pieces in appreciation of Mr. Davis's contributions. Professor Robert Nieske (MUS) commended each of his protgs as they came to the stage. With Professor Nieske on the bass and Jon Searles '04 on the drums, three students took turns demonstrating their outstanding skills on the piano. Doug Van Hollen '04 performed a seasonal song, "Autumn Leaves" by Miles Davis. Eric Holland '06 followed with "Dolphin Dance" by Herbie Hancock. Phil Selesnick '05 did an original number titled "Samba de Raina." The music alone transformed Levin Ballroom into an intimate and romantic venue.

The Dick Hyman Trio, (Dick Hyman, Howard Alden and Jay Leonhart) then took the stage. Many of the adults in the audience, who knew of Dick Hyman when he performed with renowned jazz artists such as Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson, sat on the edge of their seats and started clapping the minute he appeared onstage. Others were more familiar with this trio from the soundtrack of the Woody Allen film, "Sweet and Lowdown."

The three unique musicians were able to come together seamlessly while complimenting each other's solo specialties. Dick Hyman's experienced hands moved dexterously over the piano keys, stunning in their vitality. Bassist Jay Leonhart charmed with his humorous rhymes, and scatted while tapping his bass like a bongo. Howard Alden, on the 7-string guitar, proved why he is recpgnized as one of the best contemporary jazz guitarists today.

The setlist included Cole Porter's "Love," Nat King Cole's "Just You, Just Me" and Ruth Etting's "Mean To Me." They also experimented with the music, mixing jazz with sounds like bossa nova and Brazilian samba or combining the traditional style with the more modern. No matter what new sound they invented, the audience tapped their feet and nodded their heads in approval.

There was no real climactic point of the night; it was simply good jazz from beginning to end. Everyone silently indulged in this luxurious atmosphere until the last song ended, and then got up to give a standing ovation. There is no doubt many of these adults were celebrating the survival of this "high art" genre in a world that, to them, must seem culturally unrefined. The Jazzfest served as a wonderful epilogue to Fallfest 2002.