Wailing on the flute

Young Chang

The flute can sound sweet and airy, like a flighty bird singing. It

can sound “mean and nasty.” It can even do jazz.

Few know that instruments other than the saxophone and trumpet can

wail jazz-style, says flutist Renee Grizzell. But her fragile woodwind

instrument can hold its own.

“It’s not as loud as the saxophone and trumpet, but it’s still very

versatile,” the Long Beach resident said. “I know there have been some

really great jazz flutists over the years, but a lot of people don’t get

to hear them because there’s so much emphasis put on the saxophone.”

Classically trained but well-versed in the jazz genre, Grizzell will

perform at the Orange County Museum of Art today as part of the museum’s

classic jazz series.

The series accompanied the American Modern exhibit, which closed last

weekend, a week earlier than anticipated. The show, which was on loan

from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, highlighted works from

earlier in the century when America was just beginning to develop its

modern style. Designers behind the works included Norman Bel Geddes,

Donald Deskey, Paul Frankl and Isamu Noguchi.

“And jazz is also an icon of modernity,” museum spokesman Brian

Langston said.

Scheduling conflicts led to the show closing early, but Grizzell’s

performance still makes a statement about modernity in America.

“This shows that American Modern contains elements inspired by jazz

music,” said Jennifer Katz, education associate for public programs at

the museum. “We decided it was a good opportunity to offer jazz.”

Jim Ziegler’s quintet began the jazz series in June with a ragtime,

early jazz of the ‘20s, sort of vibe. Vocalist and pianist Peggy

Duquesnel followed in late July with her Diahann Carroll-style, and

Grizzell concludes the series with classic jazz.

The vocalist/flutist will perform with her trio of jazz guitar and

upright bass in a program of mostly swing standards, some Brazilian tunes

and ballads by legends including Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman at the

museum’s outdoor sculpture garden.

“It sounded like a great location,” Grizzell said of being asked to

perform at the museum. “And I love entertaining people and helping them

to lose themselves for an evening, to relax and have a little nostalgia,

because that’s the kind of jazz I enjoy most.”

She started playing the flute when she was about 10, when her

music-instructor father brought home a flute and said, “Here, this is

what you’re going to play.”

In high school, Grizzell developed an interest in jazz.

“People are use to thinking of big bands,” she said. “But the flute is

a great jazz instrument as well as a classical instrument.”

Proving that she’s a jazz lover to the core, Grizzell says her

favorite part about singing and playing the genre is doing the

unexpected.

“The whole excitement to me, and particularly in jazz, is that

experience of being in the moment,” she said. “Losing yourself in the

music and the improvisatory aspect. Each time you play, it’s going to be

different.”

FYI

* What: Renee Grizzell will perform

* When: 5:45 p.m. today

* Where: Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport

Beach

* Cost: $16 or $14

* Call: (949) 759-1122, Ext. 218