09
September
2017
|
16:17 PM
America/New_York

Watch: Marching Band honors architects of jazz in halftime show

Music from the First Lady of Song and the High Priest of Bop filled Ohio Stadium Saturday night during a tribute to America’s truly original art form: Jazz.

The Ohio State University Marching Band honored four jazz legends during the halftime show of the Ohio State versus Oklahoma football game. Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk and Buddy Rich were all born 100 years ago, in 1917.

Christopher Hoch , director of Ohio State’s Marching and Athletic Bands, designed the drill honoring the musicians. He said it was a great way to start the new season for the band.

“I’m very excited for our fans in Columbus and around the country to see what the 140th edition of the Ohio State Marching Band has in store for them this season,” Hoch said. “Our students work tirelessly on and off the field, and, after weeks of preparation, it’s finally time to showcase our tradition of excellence in front of a home crowd in Ohio Stadium.”

The drill featured formations mimicking Gillespie as he blasted his trumpet, spelling out “Monk” with a nod to his trademark glasses and “Ella” with an image of the legendary singer, and the shape of a drummer in tribute to Rich. The band played samples of “Groovin’ High” and “Round Midnight” as part of the show.

Jazz musicians from the Ohio State School of Music were featured in the performance.

The i-dotter this week was Canton native Tim Hogue. Hogue graduated from Ohio State in May with a major in security and intelligence from the Department of International Studies and with minors in Russian and aviation studies.

He returned to the band this year for his fourth season. Hogue says he is excited to dot the “i” to complete a dream he’s had since he was a student at Canton McKinley High School.