Written by Elliott Coombes // Graphic by Ben Evans
D-Caf, the jazz band of two Searcy locals, held a concert Nov. 11. The duo, which consists of Dr. Scott Carrell, professor of music and director of piano studies, and John Oden, an instructor at the Searcy Community School of Music, played at the local coffeehouse Midnight Oil (MO). D-Caf ’s performance was open to the public to purchase hot drinks while listening to jazz music.
Senior Emma Myhan said the event provided a good environment for doing homework.
“I like jazz music, especially when I’m having to work on homework,” Myhan said. “It was nice to have something going on in the background, especially because MO does a great job of creating a good atmosphere for stuff like this.”
With Carrell playing the keyboard and Oden playing the bass, the duo provided all styles of jazz, including classical mashups, Latin, swing, blues and show tune jazz.
“Probably our group’s favorite song would be ‘Pent- Up House,’” Carrell said “That’s the one that we’ve done the most. It’s kind of been our signature tune that we’ve done … a lot, and so that’s probably the tune that would most define our group. In spite of the name D-Caf Jazz, which sounds very relaxed and calm, we’re not. We’re very caffeinated with our playing, and ‘Pent-Up House’ is a perfect example of that because it’s very much an upbeat tune.”
Carrell said D-Caf is a newer band.
“[D-Caf has] onl y been in existence for just over two years,” Carrell said. “In fact, our first performance was two years ago, right about this time of the year, here on this stage at Midnight Oil.”
During the concert, D-Caf offered audience members the opportunity to participate on stage by supplying rhythm elements for several songs. One participant, junior Anna Sims, said the experience was fun.
“It was kind of a shock,” Sims said. “I did not expect to get called up to participate, but it was really fun, and I’m really excited that I got to be a part of the performance.”
Sims said her favorite part of the event was that it provided a different environment to study and do homework in than in the library or the dorm.
“It’s outside, and there’s live music, which is a lot more exciting than just listening to music on your phone, so it’s a great way to get outside and do something different while also being productive,” Sims said.
The next D-Caf performance will be Dec. 15 at Imago Dei coffeehouse.
