The EIU Jazz Lab Band had the crowd tapping their toes and nodding their heads at last night’s performance.

Approximately 120 students were in attendance at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Grand Ballroom for the EIU Jazz Lab Band concert.

“I just wanted to check out the band,” said Mike Thompson, sophomore English major.

The band started off the night with Duke Pearson’s song Jeannine. The song was loud and flowed smoothly as the audience tapped along.

The night continued on with the other eight songs the band picked out to play. Some of the songs featured a select few members of the band.

“I like how the melody went from one soloist to another and then back again during Day Dream,” said Cassie Grabowski, junior music education major.

During all the songs, different performers would take solos that all flowed smoothly together. After each solo, the crowd clapped and there was even a whistle after music major Walter Ulreich’s guitar solo.

In between each song, director Paul Johnston would make jokes as he introduced performers and pieces.

The night came to a close as the band finished up with one of its favorite pieces, Alan Baylock’s Hullabaloo. The song featured four different solo performers.

“I enjoy playing the last tune because I don’t feel stressed. I dare to play,” said Olivier David, piano player.

David has only been playing with the band since the beginning of the semester and has enjoyed everything about it.

“It’s lot of fun. I enjoy every rehearsal and performance,” David said.

“I had no idea what to expect, but I would come to another performance,” said Scott Fritz, junior radio broadcast major.