The Eastern Jazz Ensemble finished its last concert of the semester by performing several compositions with Bobby Shew, a jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player on Friday.

Shew was a studio performer, but now focuses mainly on performing and teaching.

“I like doing it (performing),” Shew said. “This is what I love to do, this is my passion in life.”

The Jazz Ensemble performed a section of compositions before bringing Shew out to perform with them the rest of the concert.

Some of the compositions the ensemble played included: “How High The Moon” arranged by Dave Wolpe; “Dolphin Dance” arranged by Bob Mitzer; “Lament arranged by Mike Tomaro;” and “305” by Jim McNeely.

Shew performed with the Jazz Ensemble for the second section of their last concert.

Sam Fagaly, director of Jazz Studies and the conductor of the Jazz Ensemble, said Shew brought great experience to the performance.

“He has great insight in music because of his experience with music,” Fagaly said. “He had done almost everything a person can do with a trumpet.”

Fagaly said it also gave the students a great opportunity.

“They get to perform with one of the legendary jazz players in the world,” Fagaly said. “He brings in insight they couldn’t get somewhere else.”

The compositions Shew played with the ensemble included: “Always and Forever” by Robert Curnow; “Breakfast Wine” by Randy Aldcroft; “For The Time Being” and “Magic Box” by Bert Joris; “Joy Spring” arranged by Dave Hansen; and “Terrestris” arranged by Bob Washut.

Shew said he enjoyed playing with the ensemble.

“It’s so great when you have a band of this caliber backing you,” Shew said. “You have the freedom to not worry.”

During the performance of “Joy Spring” the ensemble was also joined by Andrew Cheetham, an assistant professor of the trumpet, who has worked with Shew before.

While on campus, Shew gave a series of workshops and a master class.

Fagaly said he thought it was a good thing for the students to get the chance to learn from a professional trumpet player.

“He is as great of a teacher as he is a musician,” Fagaly said. “That’s what makes him such a great guest.”

Shew said he loves to teacher and thought the workshops went well.

“My job is to come out here and pass on a little inspiration to them,” Shew said.

Shew said he thought he brought a perspective students do not usually get.

“I’ve been playing professionally since I was 12,” Shew said. “The difference is I’ve been out there doing it. People that get a degree will get a job, they know a lot of things about it, but they’ve never had a real playing career, we try to fill in the blanks there.”

Minh Nguyen, a senior biological studies major, said she like the performance.

“I likes how (Shew) said he only does what he loves, teaching and playing.”

Sylvia Utami, a senior communication studies major, said she liked the performances because of the music.

“I like jazz, but I don’t get to listen to it that often,” Utami said. “It’s nice to go to these concerts where I can listen to it.”

Fagaly said he thinks the performance went great.

“The crowd seemed to really be enjoying it, and we can’t ask for much more than that,” Fagaly said.

Fagaly said Shew’s performance was great for the concert.

“He brings joy and love from the heart to everything he does,” Fagaly said.

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.