Jazz Brunch Hits the Right Notes

March 6, 2009

Students take time out for cotton candy while enjoying jazz music

Students welcomed the opportunity to unwind with classmates during this year's annual Jazz Brunch: a culinary adventure of tasty and fun foods, complemented by the mellow notes of faculty and student jazz bands.

The menu brings smiles to the faces of attendeesAnticipatory students were lined up on the snowy walkway when the doors to the Elm St. Dining Hall opened at 9:00 a.m. They discovered a menu based on the theme of the Four Elements (fire, air, water, earth). Dishes included spicy beef stir-fry, rock candy, popovers, Bananas Foster flambé, London-style fish and chips, cotton candy, Beef Bourguignon with mushrooms and California rolls. Test your own culinary instincts by matching these foods to their associated element (answers at end of story).

"My favorite part of the Brunch menu is the chocolate fountain," says Blake '09. "It's a universal favorite among many attendees, so there is always a long line." Hanif '10 agrees. "Who doesn't love the chocolate fountain?"

Dining Services Managers Heidi Brousseau and Deborah Riso have collaborated on the Jazz Brunch for many years. Each year they choose a theme as the starting point for room decorations and the menu, which is planned with Executive Chef Patrick Brideau. Past themes, which are kept secret until the doors open, have included France/Italy (think French pastries and gelato) and Four Corners of the United States (salmon and tropical smoothies).

Chefs busy with a stir fry at one of the action stationsThis year's Brunch featured chef "action stations," each with sweet and savory offerings set up in the four corners of the dining hall. Riso remarked that the "action stations were an opportunity for the chefs to come out of the kitchen into the dining hall and be more one-on-one with the students. They love the chance to showcase their talents at display cooking, for example, doing a flambé."

Along with the creative and fun food offerings, the Jazz Brunch also featured jazz music from the Phillips Exeter Faculty Jazz Ensemble and two student jazz ensembles.

Music instructor Charlie Jennison (saxophone) and adjunct instructor Les Harris (drums) have played at all but one Jazz Brunch over the years. "We love playing for an audience that is enjoying itself, listening intently and interacting," says Harris. "One of the highlights is partaking in the amazing spread of food during our breaks." Another highlight is the occasional guest appearance of Reverend Thompson or student singers, who have been known to sit in for an impromptu session.

Both Jennison and Harris work with the student jazz bands. "My job is to introduce new tunes and tune types to the musicians, help them understand the forms and chord progressions, and offer suggestions on rhythmic interpretation, scale or arpeggio choice for improvisation, and arrangement of horn backgrounds," says Jennison of his work with the student Chamber Jazz Combo.

Student jazz band in actionJazz brunch gives students a welcome opportunity to perform informally. "Jazz Brunch is a time when we get to impress our friends and just have fun playing for an audience," says alto sax player Matthew '11."The more you perform in front of an audience, the more you focus on the music. I just try to stay calm; everything else comes naturally."

Drummer Hanif found that jazz music was new to many of his fellow students. "Most kids don't listen to much jazz, so it's pretty cool to play and see students really enjoy the music. I remember a few students who sat at the Brunch from 9:00 to noon, came up, and asked what we were playing and how they could learn more."

Soprano sax player Blake sees the Brunch as a way to build community. "Having students play for other students strengthens the community much more than if the school imported a professional group. Students that attend the Brunch provide amazing support for the musicians. Everybody who plays appreciates that support." Hanif agrees: "The food and music are the best parts for me, but we also go eat at the Brunch as a dorm, which rarely happens on Sunday mornings." Trumpeter Steve '10 loves the social connection: "I feel I have a voice in the community, even if all I want to say is that I'm having fun at Jazz Brunch."

Jennison summed up recollections of his many Brunch sessions saying, "Good food, good company, and good vibes."

Answers:
fire, earth, air, fire, water, air, earth, water

Thanks to local firms W.S. Goodrich of Epping, NH and Landwright Landscaping of North Hampton, NH for their contributions to the Jazz Brunch.

Interested in learning more?

Check out the daily menu menu at Exeter...

Read more about student music organizations and the Music Department...

Check out faculty musicians Charlie Jennison and Les Harris...