Drumline Live ensemble resonates talent

The Drumline Live ensemble had audience members dancing in their seats Friday night at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts.

The live show, influenced by the 2002 hit movie "Drumline," involved more than just percussion instruments. Trumpets, tubas, trombones and saxophones were played loudly. The musicians not only proved they could hit the high notes, but they simultaneously sang performed in choreographed dance routines.

All the performers in the show were from America's top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Many of these colleges were founded in the second half of the 19th century to create opportunities for blacks to receive higher education. The marching bands from these schools started off supporting their football teams and eventually evolved into high-energy, dancing and musical performers.

The Drumline Live performance began when a mix of brightly colored lights hit the stage and the host of the show explained how the ensemble would be performing a piece influenced by traditions in Africa. The performers were dressed in purple and magenta glittery silk outfits as they danced and played their instruments.

After this bold performace, the stage cleared and the drum major, the leader of the drumline, was in the spotlight. Once he awed the audience with his dance moves, he blew his whistle and the rest of the marching band appeared on stage, playing a variety of songs, including Stevie Wonder's "You Can Feel It All Over." With instruments still in their hands, some of the marching band members turned into a full-fledged step crew.

The program shifted gears and the host gave the audience some background knowledge on the music genre, Motown. He explained that Motown is a mixture of gospel, blues, swing and pop music. The host said the drumline performers would be taking the crowd down memory lane as they performed famous songs from the Motown's heyday.

Singers and dancers impersonated renowned singers and musical groups such as Tina Turner, The Temptations, The Supremes, James Brown and Aretha Franklin.

UConn marching band students said they thought the show was incredible.

"They are amazing musicians," said Collen Mello, a 2nd-semester math major who plays clarinet in UConn's marching band. "I liked the beginning when they were actually marching."

During intermission, Mello said she expected an actual drumline performance.

Mello's expectation was soon met. The second half of the show included a beat squad and an actual drumline. The drumline assembled on stage and played their percussion instruments with such precision, never missing a beat.

"They are so energetic and audience oriented," said Whitney Wong, a 2nd-semester biomedical engineering major who also plays clarinet in UConn's marching band.

Wong said UConn's marching band doesn't do any of the dance moves the drum-liners exhibited, but she wished they did. Mello explained that they only do "horn pops" with their instruments.

Drumline Live also played a medley of swing songs in zoot suits and danced in traditional swing style.

Towards the end of the show there was a drum off between two of the best drum-liners, Scooter and Big Tony. Scooter played a beat and then Big Tony played a rhythm that was bigger and better, making him the winner of the showdown.

The bold program ended with the marching band playing songs they would during any normal half time show, such as the Jackson's Five "I Want You Back" or the Inspector Gadget theme song.

When the show concluded the audience gave the performers a standing ovation.