The culmination of Friday night's jazz concert in Slosberg left jazz lovers and the jazz-curious equally pleased. Guthrie Ramsey, Associate Professor of Music at the University of Pennsylvania, enlightened and delighted the audience with a concert consisting of only him and two members of what is usually a six-piece jazz outfit. The smaller-than-average crowd gave the performance a level of intimacy that all in attendance appreciated. While Ramsey entertained on the piano, Lucky Thompson accompanied him on drums and Cliff Kellen on bass. None of the performers had music in front of them, relying completely on memorization and ad-lib.
"We appreciate your support in coming out tonight and want to honor you with some soulful music." Ramsey said after their first song, admitting that he feared the snow would keep the audience away, and expressing how grateful he was that those in attendance did come.
The rhythms were intense, especially Kellen's bass lines. During his solo spots, he was able to capture the true nature of jazz bass, with complex tempos and chords. Kellen had a handful of solos throughout the night, not one at all like the other but each adding to dimension to the group's mellifluous sound.

Thompson's drumming was unpredictable and exciting. Whether he simply played the backbone of a song or in his own solos, he was very precise in his rhythms, changing the tempo so often that only another drummer could truly understand the intricacy of his ability. During the third song of the night, he went on a crazy tirade with his sticks and the thunderous applause that came when he finished his solo was well received with a nod, a wink and more playing.

Ramsey's dexterity on the ivories was impressive to say the least. There were smooth sounds of melody, harmony and a very non-specific rhythm that, when he played, had everyone in attendance swaying their heads in time with the music. One of the pieces they played had a Cuban beat to it, while another was distinctly blues and yet another had just a light, sweet, airy sound to it with a great beat from Thompson.

For all the jazz lovers out there, shame on you for missing a great concert by Guthrie Ramsey and his band, MusiQologY. They were certainly a treat to the halls of Slosberg and to the ears of the dozen or so people who made the effort to come out and support good jazz.