West Virginia Wesleyan College - Murmurmontis Yearbook (Buckhannon, WV)

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4 When, in the course of summer travels, i encounter a good friend who inquires ol my recent trip to Romania, I rely on several well- worn but accurate phrases to describe my experiences in the country of the Carpathi- ans. Marvelous Wild A Hundred new experiences want to go back! then proceed with an oft-rehearsed nar- rative detailing my adventures as a saxo- phonist touring Romania with the West Vir- ginia Wesleyan College Jazz Ensemble. always tell of our first concert at a music school in Bucharest. The audience applauded through whole songs, and we were swarmed by eager Romanian students who wanted to see or to play our horns, exchange addresses, or simply talk with us. I brag of having visited a fortress which was defended by the one and only Vlad Tepes during 14th century conflicts. Friends from my native state of New Jersey are amused when I elaborate on the effects ot the stout and sturdy Romanian here A favorite story is the one about the Romanian restaurant owner who attempted to rub some coarse- grained chewing tobacco with me on the shore of the Black Sea. Unfortunately, it took some time and some frantic hand signals before the man understood that the sweet juices should be expelled and not swallowed (con'lonp 30) Wesleyan and the Workt Zd

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lJ L in ■ -% V -»«fr'. con'ttromp 26 months earlier when I said that this is one ot our better groups, and I wanted them to experience pertorming in Romania, the most appreciative ol the ten countries I have performed in Dick Mayo, the Ambassadors' representative, expressed it best when he said thai the Romanian people are the best audience in the world. In return, we became the greatest fans of the Romanian people. Perhaps we will tour elsewhere in the near future, but I know we will return to Romania. David Milburn Assoc. Prof of Music and Director, W.Va. Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble Veiieyo.T and the World

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can't Irom p 29 People from the mountain state of West Virginia always seem amazed when they find out Romania is a country with not only a sea coast, but flat farmlands and snow-capped mountains as well But my favorite experience from Romania is one that I rarely talk about. It started the night we performed in the tseautiful city of Brasov. After an after- noon concert we were guests at a Festive dinner held at a ski resort. Dur- ing the course of dinner I met a man who gave jazz lectures and vrfio played some piano and guitar in Romanian clubs. With the help of our tour guide (and some pine-tree brandy) the man and I engaged in a healthy conversa- tion about some American jazz styles and our own preferences in jazz, I never did pick up his full name. For the time, I knew him only as Alexander. Two nights later we were in Sibiu, the last tiand on the opening night of concerts at Jazz Celebration II. Our band was playing well, and the enthusi- asm of the audience helped create that feeling of electricity which makes performing so enjoyable. Our last song was Don Ellis' The Great Divide, a real cooker and a real showpiece. After some good solos and two or three ripping solo sections the piece ended with each laand member ad libbing on the melody line. The musicians then wandered off the stage and into the audience, still playing and filling the air with notes of every pilch and color. As I weaved through an aisle honking on my tenor sax. I spotted Alexander, smiling broadly and gesturing to ine to go over near him and play. It was great to recognize someone in a crowd of unknown laces, and I gladly obliged I stood tiehind him and continued playing. While I played, he reached out and held my right arm. His eyes were beaming, and he bel- lowed out in very understandable English, Play it! Play it! I responded, playing as hard as I could from my toes on up. When our director brought the cacophony to a close, I could do nothing but smile at my new friend. In those few seconds, the language of music transcended the limitations of nationality. This thing called jazz became a bridge tor joy and spirit, unhin- dered by the limits of spoken language. Alexander embraced me heartily, his jewel-like eyes shining with happiness. Overwhelmed by applause and wild cheering, I shuffled my way back upstage feeling giddy, but happy and satis- fied. Perhaps the reason why this memory is a private one is because of my involvement as a musician But it doesn't take a musician to realize how per- fect a medium music is And I hope that it is easy to see that friendship and joy are its premier messages George Evano Buckhannon, W79 30 Vv'eile an ond the World