The UIW Jazz Ensemble plays under the direction of Jim Waller as vocalist and UIW graduate Jacqueline Sotelo sings at the festival.
By Brian Trodden
Senior Meteorology Major
Brian Trodden
Playing the trumpet has always been a great joy, but after putting down the instrument for eight years, I never would have imagined picking it up again would lead to an invitation to perform at one of the biggest jazz festivals in the world. The trip to the Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, became a reality in July when the University of the Incarnate Word’s Jazz Ensemble was invited to perform along with Dave Matthews Band, Kool & the Gang, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Alice Cooper, George Benson, B.B. King and George Duke, among many others. This experience has been one of a lifetime, and I still have trouble believing it really happened.
We received word of our invitation after submitting six demos to the festival coordinators. We were also accepted to perform at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, but finances allowed us to attend only one. We chose to play in Montreux because it is the most prestigious jazz festival in the world. Passports were purchased. Briefings were scheduled. Many, many meetings were attended. Fundraising began and many generous people, including some out-of-state, donated time and money in the effort to get the ensemble there.
Upon our arrival in Switzerland, we boarded a train in Geneva to ride for an hour and a half around the north side of Lake Geneva to Montreux. The ride was spectacular! I felt as though I had been plucked from the earth and dropped into the Sound of Music!
After adjusting to the time change and sight-seeing for a couple of days, performance day arrived.
It felt as though we were rock stars. There were microphones, sound checks, people everywhere, and even our own little VIP section behind the stage. The experience was incredible. Here we were, the UIW Jazz Ensemble from San Antonio, Texas, playing at the biggest jazz festival in the world.
After our performance the second day, it was time to relax and have fun. Several of us hung out with some of the members of Earth, Wind, and Fire, and even got to attend their show for free! We really were stars! Many friendships were made on this trip, some of which I am sure to carry to the grave.
The ensemble owes a tremendous amount of gratitude to many individuals at UIW who worked very hard and creatively to make this momentous trip a reality. Without Dr. Bob Connelly, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Dr. Patricia Watkins, vice president for International Programs; and Martin Klingbacher, director of International Student and Scholar Services, the Montreux trip would not have been possible. Special thanks to many others at UIW and groups outside the university for their support and financial assistance.
I would like to sincerely thank Jim Waller for the opportunity to join this ensemble and have this experience. UIW has truly opened doors for me, none of which would have opened had I not come here – both in meteorology and music. The gifts which have been bestowed on me are truly blessings, and I am grateful to all who have made my collegiate experience amazing.
See more photos from the Jazz Ensemble’s trip at www.uiwjazz.com/montreux.html
