Ombak at Maggie Walker
Ombak’s commitment to education has taken us all over Virginia for workshops and performances. Check out what students and educators have to say about Ombak…
“How does one get 400 teenagers whose iPods are filled with the standard fair of their generation to open their minds? To listen to and to understand other forms of music? Ombak. Ombak is a 4 piece jazz group whose musicians are teachers at heart. A performance by Ombak includes a bit of music history, some informative introductions, a share of intellectual commentary and a lot of jazz. The audience cannot help but to get carried away.”
Lori Bucco, Associate Director,
Virginia’s Summer Residential Governor’s School for Humanities and Visual & Performing Arts
“One of the highlights of the performance was when they called our students up on stage. Even those in the audience who may have started out wary of the experience and this “crazy jazz” were instantly drawn in and were marveling at the music being created in front of their own eyes and ears.”
Sheryl Johnson, Director, Virginia’s Summer
Residential Governor’s School for Humanities and Visual & Performing Arts
On Nov. 25th, Maggie Walker welcomed jazz quartet, Ombak, comprised of Richmond area premiere jazz musicians, Bryan Hooten, Trey Pollard, Cameron Ralston and Brian Jones, to perform and conduct a clinic for music students. Those in attendance were taken on an incredible journey through wondrous soundscapes of fascinating rhythmic and harmonic textures, where each member showcased his unique virtuosity and launched beyond the sonic conventional bounds of his respective instrument before landing home again. Afterwards, eager to explore the techniques employed in the performance, students were treated to professional instruction in small groups led by the individual members of Ombak. Everyone was blown away by the performance and the instruction from the clinics. The students have been inspired to advance their technique and unleash their creativity in ways they had never considered possible. I can’t wait to schedule more visits in the future and would recommend Ombak to any educator wanting to infuse inspiration, creativity, and enthusiasm into the music lives of their students.
Karl Von Klein, music educator at Maggie Walker Governor’s School
“Ombak was SICK!”
“Bryan Hooten is sweet!”
“I was amazed at the sounds that came out of their instruments.”
“Ombak was INTENSE!”
“I was wowed afterwards.”
“I learned a whole new approach to original composition.”
“They were all awesome.”
“He was playing chords on the trombone!”
“I was really happy with how down to earth and accesible they were.”
Music Students at Maggie Walker Governor’s School
The clinic was enlightening and really provided my students with glimpse of what it takes to truly improvise and converse together musically as a combo. Students were able to see what it takes to become a professional musician, as well as discover a more contemporary approach to jazz composition.
Amy Birdsong, director of bands at Hanover High School
Ombak’s performances at both our assembly and the festival were very polished and engaging. The musicians have admirable command of their instruments, moving easily between traditional and contemporary stylings. In the workshop setting, the band members established a very productive and relaxed atmosphere, thoughtfully answered the students’ questions and shared their personal reflections about music. At the group’s invitation, many of our students, even some first-time improvisers, joined them onstage to perform a tune and take a turn at playing a chorus.
Brian Rollins, Jazz Band Director at Trinity Episcopal School
