Red and orange stage lights illuminated the USC Thornton Afro-Latin American Jazz Ensemble as they brought the sounds of Cuba and Puerto Rico to Carson Soundstage Monday night. What began as a showcase of jazz music from students at the Thornton School of Music quickly changed course, as salsa melodies got the audience out of their seats and dancing together.

Three jazz ensembles took the stage as part of one of Thornton’s Jazz Night at Carson series: two traditional ensembles, professor of jazz studies Clarence Penn’s jazz combo and Thornton Jazz Orchestra, and ALAJE, an ensemble formed in the mid-1980s which performs salsa music.

While all three groups brought a unique sound, the audience was particularly electrified by ALAJE’s contribution. Led by Aarón Serfaty for the past 27 years, their setlist included iconic songs including “Sin Tu Cariño” by Rubén Blades and “Yo No Sé Mañana” by Luis Enrique.

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“Yo No Sé Mañana” was performed by Raymond Ortiz, a senior majoring in jazz studies. He described it as one of the most popular Latin American songs ever, and said he grew up listening to it.

“It’s the stuff that you play at the Mexican parties — las carne asadas,” Ortiz said. “This is kind of bringing back a part of my childhood, so thank you [to ALAJE] for playing with me and letting me relive some of my childhood memories.”

While Ortiz’s experience performing evoked memories of his childhood and family, for others it was a chance to explore new artistic territory, as it was for Leo Mermelstein, a junior majoring in jazz voice as well as cognitive science.

Mermelstein, a featured vocalist with ALAJE, said his favorite piece he performed was his solo, “El Que Se Fue” by Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound.

“I was so terrified, but [performing it] was really fun, especially once everyone was dancing,” Mermelstein said. “For about two weeks, I listened to [the song] so much. I practiced singing with a clave and I practiced singing with the recording so much for hours and hours; it destroyed my voice.”

He said the ensemble had little time to prepare which was particularly difficult for him as he does not speak Spanish. Another challenge he had to overcome was keeping a straight rhythm when he’s been taught in jazz school to swing everything.

“Trying to figure out when we’re going to come in and whatnot was [a challenge],” Mermelstein said. “Sometimes you come in right but other people are not coming in so then you look stupid, and then sometimes vice versa, so that was a big challenge.”

Despite these challenges, Mermelstein said the engagement of the audience during his solo stood out to him.

“Once everyone starts to get up and dance, that’s the best thing as a performer,” Mermelstein said. “Seeing your audience and getting so much energy back from them, you just exchange energy and, all of a sudden, then you’re not even doing any work at all. It’s just energy back and forth.”

Tiffany Galaviz, a member of ALAJE and a senior majoring in popular music, said the biggest challenge the ensemble faced was overcoming nerves. 

“This all came together very quickly, so we didn’t have too much time to rehearse,” Galaviz said. “I feel we were all a little bit nervous and on our toes, but I think we made the best of it with the time we had.”

Galaviz said Mermelstein is usually really nervous, but as soon as he saw the audience dancing, he was immediately relaxed which resonated with the rest of the ensemble. She also noted how it’s difficult for a musician to perform at their best when the audience isn’t reciprocating energy. 

“Just seeing people engaging with us and just singing the songs, and trying to dance in their chair gave us some motivation to try and get them a little more amped up and dancing,” Galaviz said. “I think we had a lot of fun. It was my first ALAJE show so I had a lot of fun.”

The musicians on stage weren’t the only ones having fun Monday night. Jack Benson, a freshman majoring in jazz studies, said he likes to attend Jazz Nights every Monday because it’s special to see amazing musicians perform live.

“ALAJE was killing it,” Benson said. “The big band stuff, I hadn’t heard before from the other concerts, so that was very cool.”

In comparison to other Jazz Nights, Benson said Monday was one of his favorites. He said the different ensembles each brought out different emotions out of him, but ALAJE was the most exciting.

“ALAJE was just dancing music,” Benson said. “I wanted to get out of my seat so bad, I was very happy when everyone started dancing.”

Benson said he encourages people to attend future Jazz Nights at Carson.

“Come out to these shows. They’re really awesome,” Benson said. “They’re a chance to hear what Thorton is doing in terms of the jazz program and listen to some great music and have a very supportive energy.”