A jazz group touring the Northern West Coast visited campus and gave students an opportunity to experience a professional performance and master class in the Cosumnes River College Recital Hall on Feb. 4.
The Adam Moezinia Trio is a jazz group known for playing genres like swing and blues as well as Brazilian styles like bossa nova and samba. Moezinia graduated from Julliard’s Jazz Studies program and has performed worldwide with jazz musicians Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and Cécile McLorin Salvant.
While the trio’s performance itself demonstrated a high level of musicianship, the event was structured as an interactive master class that directly tied into classroom instruction. The arts, media and entertainment professor Maxwell Kiesner explained that the format connects performance with practical learning.
“We’re talking about the basic elements of jazz and improvisation, playing together, and also what it means to be a working musician,” he said. “They’re self-employed, they tour themselves, they’re their own bosses — all of that is relevant to our classes.”
The trio’s appearance came together organically. Music professor Maxwell Kiesner said the group reached out while touring the region, looking to fill dates with colleges and performance venues.
“That’s usually how it happens,” Kiesner said. “Artists come through the area, look for venues, and we’re always open and welcoming to new artists performing on campus.”
For students, the experience extended beyond the performance. Dominic Palmer, a 24-year-old music major, said the master class encouraged him to explore new musical influences and learn from other well known artists.
“I am more interested in getting to know Freddy Cole, and also taking their advice, just diving into more artists, seeing where all my interests can lead outward,” Palmer said.
For the trio, engaging directly with students is a central part of the experience. Moezinia described the CRC visit as one of several college master classes the group conducted while on tour.
“This is probably our fifth or sixth college master class,” Moezinia said. “We’re starting to feel like a well-oiled machine. We know the music really well, and it’s fun.”
He noted that performing for students presents a unique challenge, especially when audiences vary in musical background.
“Sometimes we’re playing for jazz majors who really know what we’re doing, and other times it’s a mixed group,” Moezinia said. “Today there were some non-music majors, but the questions were really thoughtful. It’s all about meeting people where they are.”
A key component of the master class was the question-and-answer session, which Moezinia considers the most important part of the experience.
“Without that, it’s just a concert,” he said. “The Q&A is why we’re really here. Playing gives students a sense of what we do so they can ask more specific questions — about the music or about being a musician.”
Kielan Fox, a 21-year-old music major, said the discussion encouraged a more open approach to creativity.
“I think my key takeaways are to be more confident with my creative process and to be open to ideas going in a different direction than I thought,” Fox said. “To try new things and be open to new sounds — creating a scenery and environment for music. I’m definitely going to try doing more.”
While the trio frequently performs multiple sets in traditional concert settings, Moezinia said the educational environment offers something different.
“It’s a different animal,” he said. “But I love teaching, especially when students are engaged. When they have some jazz training, it opens the door to more advanced topics, and that’s really rewarding.”
For Kiesner, the ultimate goal of bringing professional musicians to campus is inspiration.
“A lot of students don’t really know what’s possible until they experience something at this level,” he said. “Hopefully they walk away motivated to practice more and to think seriously about their own careers.”