The performance showcased the talents of students in the UNC Jazz Combos, a one-hour ensemble course offered through the Department of Music.
James Ketch, chairman of the UNC music department and director of jazz studies, described the class as an opportunity for students to increase their musical dexterity.
"Their goal is to work on the improvisational vocabulary they will share as musicians," he said.
Coached once a week by members of the jazz faculty, students in the class work together in small groups on music they select themselves. After about a month of practicing they open up their doors to the public, allowing the community the chance to hear some great jazz for free.
The show Friday featured a range of music, including some popular classics like John Coltrane's "Blue Train" and Lionel Hampton's "Flying Home," which was presented as a tribute in honor of the late musician's recent death.
Six combos performed over the course of two hours, eliciting head bops, toe taps and the occasional burst of glee from the audience. As the students took their turns on solos, a veritable music language could be heard in the room. Looks of curiosity, surprise and consent spread throughout the group members as they followed the path of each new improvisation, waiting to see where it would settle.
"I love the music," said junior music and English major Sara Snyder, who is a member of the combo Battlebots. "It's a feast when it comes to musical harmony."
The program started and ended strong, with only a few dips in between. The level of confidence and experience seemed to be varied among the musicians, but they rallied together as a group to produce an enjoyable first concert.
"It's a great opportunity to play with other people," said Kevin Timmons, a junior music and psychology major and fellow Battlebot. "We're all learning together here."
