Student band gets jazzy
From funky tunes at Rock ’n’ Joe to jazz standards at the Farmers Market, student-led band Dominant 7 took this past summer by storm. The band, made up of seniors Lucy Ritter, Josh Markowitz, Ben Mizrach, Catherine Moore, Ben Kevelson and Jack Garceau, got their official start at WHS’s annual Mayhem talent showcase last year. They perform jazz standards, funk covers, and are working on arranging songs such as “Mambo No. 5” and “Isn’t She Lovely” for upcoming shows.
Markowitz, the band’s bassist, said that during sophomore year, he jammed with Mizrach, Kevelson and Garceau for fun. But after a year, they “decided to get more serious with the group and start performing as a real combo.” Enter Ritter and Moore, along with a seventh member who has since left the group, and the band began playing gigs around town. The band takes its name from a chord prominent in jazz music.
All six members have been involved in music since elementary school, playing two or more instruments or singing as well.
Why jazz? While WHS has had its handful of rock bands and pop singers, it seldom hosts prominent and independent jazz bands.
“I’ve always really loved jazz in particular because of the creative expression that comes with inventive voicings and improvisation that you really can’t get in any other genre of music,” said Moore, the band’s pianist. This sentiment rings true for Moore’s bandmates as well, who have all taken an interest in jazz as a genre, holding jam sessions with other members of WHS’s jazz ensemble before the band’s formation.
Despite their jazz focus, Dominant 7 said that they aren’t limited to the genre.
“We like taking pop and funk songs and playing them in our combo setting,” said Ritter, the band’s drummer. “We are hoping to have originals come out soon. D7 has a distinct sound that can be used in many different musical genres.”
As for performing itself, Dominant 7 says the ability to share their passion with others has been an empowering experience, and has motivated the group to challenge each other to grow. Performing for their peers can sometimes add pressure, but it also allows for a more high-energy experience.
As for now, Dominant 7 is being considered for a performance at Homecoming, and is always on the lookout for new opportunities to share their music with the community.
All six members have been involved in music since elementary school, playing two or more instruments or singing as well.
Why jazz? While WHS has had its handful of rock bands and pop singers, it seldom hosts prominent and independent jazz bands.
“I’ve always really loved jazz in particular because of the creative expression that comes with inventive voicings and improvisation that you really can’t get in any other genre of music,” said Moore, the band’s pianist. This sentiment rings true for Moore’s bandmates as well, who have all taken an interest in jazz as a genre, holding jam sessions with other members of WHS’s jazz ensemble before the band’s formation.
Despite their jazz focus, Dominant 7 said that they aren’t limited to the genre.
“We like taking pop and funk songs and playing them in our combo setting,” said Ritter, the band’s drummer. “We are hoping to have originals come out soon. D7 has a distinct sound that can be used in many different musical genres.”
As for performing itself, Dominant 7 says the ability to share their passion with others has been an empowering experience, and has motivated the group to challenge each other to grow. Performing for their peers can sometimes add pressure, but it also allows for a more high-energy experience.
As for now, Dominant 7 is being considered for a performance at Homecoming, and is always on the lookout for new opportunities to share their music with the community.
