Annual Jazz ‘N BBQ Event was a Hit

By Kaleb Moore
Staff writer
IG: kalebmoore05

On Friday and Saturday evening, the Stringer Fine Arts building was filled with the delicious smells of food and the bumping sounds of music. 

This could only mean one thing – the annual Jazz ‘n BBQ was under way.

The vocal and instrumental jazz groups at Hutchinson Community College gathered in the event area for the yearly food and music event. Led by directors Neal Allsup and Jack Cassidy, the performers included vocal soloists, both instrumental and vocal jazz large groups as well as smaller vocal and instrumental jazz combo groups.

As for what was on the menu, there was an assortment of meats and sides. Attendants were served with a sandwich and a side. The smells were enough to make anyone hungry, and the food definitely did not disappoint.

Jazz ‘n BBQ was a massive hit this year, with both nights selling out. This has always been a major event for the fine arts program, but this year it was much easier to get people to purchase tickets. In years past, the musicians would have a certain number of tickets to sell to their friends and family.

Mary Ediger, a former HutchCC jazz student, said “I really enjoyed being a part of jazz and barbecue the last two years. It definitely had a different environment having Greg Weis as our director compared to the new one.” 

Greg Weis was the previous jazz director at HutchCC.

As Ediger mentioned, things were different this fall. The event sold out quickly. Every seat was filled and the vibes were upbeat and jumping.

First-year jazz instructor Cassidy came into the event ready with his two bands, and the performance spoke for itself. The bands performed difficult music with numerous soloists taking the reins throughout, and each one led the band to higher peaks. 

“All in all I thought it was very good,” Cassidy said.

It is also to be noted that this is Neal Allsup’s final year as the choral director at HutchCC. He has been a part of this program for the past 35 years and has led his group to heights the school could only have dreamed of. 

His final song for his Badinage jazz chorus group was especially meaningful to not only Allsup but also the crowd. 

“I also really enjoyed the last song Badinage sang because it had a deeper meaning to it since it’s Neal’s last year at Hutch,” Ediger said.

Overall, the jazz and barbecue was a massive success. It sent one era into the sunset, showed the sunrise of another, and proved that as long as the music is playing and the joint is jumping, anyone can have a good time.

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