New composition showcases talent, debuts at banquet

In keeping with the concept of Celebrating Excellence, the April 1 faculty and staff recognition banquet will host two of WSU’s award-winning musical groups, Jazz Northwest and Crimson Revue.

Jazz Northwest will perform a musical piece written specifically for the event.

The piece, titled “Love Came Knocking on My Door,” was composed by Jennifer Scovell, lyrics, and Greg Yasinitsky, music, with an arrangement by Yasinitsky. Both are members of Jazz Northwest and faculty members in the School of Music and Theatre Arts. Additionally, Scovell is the director of Crimson Revue and Yasinitsky is WSU coordinator of Jazz Studies.

Yasinitsky said the featured piece is up-tempo and embodies a positive and uplifting feel to carry the award banquet theme. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for nearly everyone in the Jazz Northwest ensemble, which is comprised of faculty and staff members, to be highlighted through solo performances.

Scovell, who will be vocally spotlighted on her lyrics, said the words were inspired by the spring date of the banquet and the romantic clichés of the season.

“(The song) suggests that when we are young we fall in and out of love quickly as the seasons pass,” Scovell said. “As we grow older, we gain a new perspective on love and look for something that will last.”

Scovell explained that the line “Once upon a fling, I said goodbye to spring, and love came knocking on my door” refers to the common advice that if you will only give up looking for love, then real love will find you.

Jazz Northwest members include Scovell, vocals; Yasinitsky, saxophone; Horace-Alexander Young, saxophone; David Snider, bass; and David Jarvis, drums.

The vocal members of Crimson Revue include Lindsay Karstetter, Kaelee Scaggs, Alycia Mihalyi, Elizabeth Nitkowski, Jason Bush, Matt Griffin, Craig Heider and Jacob Tyrrell.