By Tre Shuttlesworth, Staff Writer
The FAKE Dixie Band, a student-led jazz group inspired by early 20th century jazz music, held their annual “Dixie at Deg” performance at Arthur Plaza outside of Degenstein Campus Center on Oct. 6 during this year’s family weekend.
The instrumentally diverse six-piece group featured a dozen members. The group played student-composed music inspired by New Orleans style jazz music combined with other modern jazz influences.
Junior Matt Martratt founded the group and acts as its arranger and composer while also playing the clarinet in the group.
Martratt had personal musical influences that led him to form The FAKE Dixie Band.
“I was inspired by a man named Gordon Goodwin who has his own band, humorously titled The Big PHAT Band,” he said.
This led to the formation of the FAKE Dixie Band, which earns its name due to having elements that are unconventional in a traditional dixie band.
“Traditional Dixieland Bands were typically made of five to six individuals, whereas we have a group of 12,” Martratt said. “In addition to the uncommon amount of members, our band has many instruments that aren’t typical of traditional dixie bands. For example, we also have a melodica player.”
The FAKE Dixie Band also featured assistant professor of music, Amy Voorhees, who added her vocal talents to the group’s performance.
Voorhees is Susquehanna’s new director of choral music, who recently received her doctorate from Michigan State University and brings seasoned teaching experience to the university’s vocal courses and groups.
“Dr. Voorhees was ecstatic when I asked her if she would be interested in joining us for the fall semester,” Martratt said.
This is part of a traditional featuring of faculty artists. Martratt praised Voorhees’ involvement in the event.
“Dr. Voorhees’s youthful exuberance, pure sound and positive energy just make you feel good, which is what made the whole performance shine,” Martratt said.
Vorhees enjoyed the variety of music that was played during the performance.
She said, “It was special to be able to meet some of the parents that attended the event of students I have the privilege of working with everyday.”
In the past the group has also featured guests such as Susquehanna president Jonathan Green.
In addition to its occasional on-campus performances, the group also performs in the local community throughout the year at places such as the All Saints Episcopal Church in Selinsgrove.
The band plans to do busking at the farmer’s market in downtown Selinsgrove, collecting funds to donate to the New Orleans Musician’s Relief Fund or NOMRF.
“NOMRF aims to support music programs in New Orleans that are still recovering from the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,” Martratt said.
The FAKE Dixie Band typically plays on campus twice a semester since it was created two years ago, but “Dixie at Deg” is the band’s only on-campus performance this semester.
Going forward, the group looks to maintain its influence on campus and expand its on-campus performances.
“We see ourselves bringing a little bit of New Orleans to the Susquehanna campus every semester,” Martratt said. “Be prepared for more street performances and you may even see us parade down 18th Street.”