Double the Fun at JazzNIC Concert

Trumpets blare, drums pound out a beat, saxophones croon, and floating above an invisible melody makes its way from instrument to instrument, taking on various moods as each musician adds a personal touch to the notes.

These were the sounds heard from the NIC Jazz Ensemble during the upbeat arrangement “Winter Games,” performed as the opening number for the JazzNIC concert last night.

After its opening sequence the ensemble, led by NIC Music Professor and JazzNIC Director Terry Jones, welcomed their guest performers Gary Gemberling and Al Gemberling to treat the audience to a variety of musical works.

Gary and Alan began their performance with the ballad “Cinema Paradiso,” the theme from the 1988 film of the same name.  With Gary on trumpet and Alan on trombone, this duet displayed the brothers’ talent for playing in perfect sync, sharing not just harmonies with each other but their emotions.

After their duo performance, Gary and Alan passed the performance baton back and forth, each taking turns sharing their musical skills through pieces like “Open Invitation” and “Polka Dots and Moonbeams.”

In addition to musical talent, Gary and Al showed off their charm and humor. Several sly reminders about the upcoming Valentine’s Day given by Al and Gary’s energetic dance moves and creative riffing had the audience laughing continually throughout the concert.

The NIC Jazz Ensemble accompanied the performers, creating the essential background of complex musical layers that are fundamental in jazz.

As the evening continued, Gary sang Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life” and Billie Holiday’s “God bless the Child,” after which Al returned for another trombone performance.

For the close of the program, Gary and Al re-united onstage to sing “Centerpiece” together before exiting the stage to the sound of enthusiastic applause and whistles.

This is not the first time Gary and Al have graced NIC with their jazzy skills. Both have loaned their time and skills to NIC multiple times before and were thrilled to join the NIC Jazz Ensemble again.

“It’s inspirational for us and it’s a joy to be able to play with the great musicians that Terry has managed. It comes together magically,” Al Gemberling said.

Both Gary and Al spent Monday and Tuesday leading clinics for JazzNIC, the two-day program hosted by NIC for local middle and high schoolers. 

The students were given the opportunity to work with Gary and Al, learning from the professionals’ skills and critiques.  Many of these students also attended the concert to see the mentors in action.

Keane and Evan, students of Sandpoint High School who play saxophone and trombone respectively, said they learned so much.  “The twins are amazing,” Keane said when discussing Gary and Al.

The enthusiasm was mutual as Gary expressed his delight in working with the aspiring musicians.

“It’s a highlight of our year, it gets our spring going. Incredible musicians, they never fail to step up and they make it easy for people like us.”

Article was edited on February 9 at 12:45 p.m., to fix spelling error.