Downtown lounge hosts student jazz ensemble

The intimate strumming of an upright bass and six-string guitar mixed with airy vocals filled the lounge of the Kress Cinema on Saturday, as the A-S-K jazz trio played for a crowd encompassing both students, adults and jazz fans.

The trio is made up of UNC music instructors Erik Applegate on the upright bass, Steve Kovalcheck on the guitar, and graduate student Kate Skinner, who let her vocals drift through the crowd to help listeners ease into conversation, grab a drink or eat dinner.

Even those who showed up early for the showing of the movie “Bad Lieutenant” or those who left the film “Precious” sat down and watched as the trio sang, strummed and fingered their way through the night.

A-S-K was formed as a project band for the three players who also perform with many other people in different projects and groups. The name of the group comes from taking the first letter of each member’s last name: Applegate-Skinner-Kovalcheck.

“I like that they want to be a small group,” said Jessamyn Hughes, a senior theater arts major. “They have a good dynamic, and she has a pretty voice.”

The jazz played by the trio was bright and upbeat, different from the sultry stylings most people associate with the genre. Skinner’s vocals had just the right amount of R&B influence to keep things light-hearted, but the music overall was relaxed enough to keep the mood from getting too busy.

Even though there was a persistent buzz of conversation in the lounge, everybody did their best not to interrupt the trio.

Craig Miller, a sophomore psychology major, said he is a regular at the Kress Cinema and enjoys the laid back atmosphere.

“Hearing (jazz) makes me realize how relaxing it is, and can give you a different emotional feeling,” Miller said. “Every time we come in, the music seems similar, but different.

The Kress Lounge is a perfect place for A-S-K to play because of the soft mood setting and dimmed lights casting a glow over the trio.

“Honestly, when we go out, we avoid other places that have country or rock music playing,” Miller said. “When we come here, we know it’s going to be a chill, smooth night.”

Even Hughes, who was looking through lines of a play, stopped to appreciate the music and the setting she was in from time to time.

“I don’t normally listen to jazz,” Hughes said. “But I like the jazz style of this place.”
The Kress is located in downtown Greeley at 817 Eigth Ave. and offers live music every Friday and Saturday night. A schedule of events can be found at their Web site: www.kresscinema.com.