According to Grammy-nominated musician Bernstein, the title of the performance refers to the fact that the Coast hopes to give old songs and genres a new twist.
"It's not necessarily the music that has no boundaries, it's this new spin on how you perform that music, how you solo that music," Bernstein said in an interview with The Dartmouth.
This is Bernstein's second time performing with the Coast.
Apfelbaum, known for his work composing and playing with San Francisco jazz group The Hieroglyphics Ensemble, will be rehearsing and performing with the Coast for his fifth time. The changing dynamic in the group as players come and go has made each experience different, although the high quality of musicianship in the Coast has stayed constant, Apfelbaum said.
Apfelbaum said he is particularly excited about this year's rhythm section, which he already worked with in a small group during rehearsals. Much of Apfelbaum's own work focuses on the rhythmic element of music, as Apfelbaum cites Nigerian "afro-beat bands" and West African drumming among his influences.
Bernstein and Apfelbaum have known each other for years and attended two different summer music workshops together, Apfelbaum said.
The pair has also collaborated on work in the past and continues to play together on a regular basis.
According to Coast bass trombonist and sousaphonist Paul Finkelstein '13, who is also a member of the Dartmouth Wind Symphony and the Brovertones, the group will have spent more than 20 hours in rehearsals with Bernstein and Apfelbaum by the time the concert takes place on Saturday.
"They call it hell week' for a reason," Finkelstein said of the long hours. "It's difficult, but it's definitely rewarding."
Coast director Don Glasgo, who will play trombone during the concert, drew parallels between the way that the Rassias program teaches languages through immersion and the way that the Barbary Coast creates an immersive experience for members.
"Rehearsing four hours a day this week is the closest students can get to a real world experience of what it's like to be a professional musician," he said. "I think they really appreciate and enjoy that."
Saturday's performance will feature one flute, five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones and a five-member rhythm section, which includes keyboard and string instruments as well as percussion. According to Bernstein, this structure is a nod to the dance bands of the 1940s. A record six vocalists will accompany the Coast on Saturday, including Michael Odokara-Okigbo '12.
Odokara-Okigbo said he has enjoyed his experience with the Coast and is inspired by the passion student musicians and guest conductors bring to rehearsals. He said he hopes to have a chance to perform with the group again in the future.
Tuesday evening's rehearsal was filled with energy as Bernstein conducted his arrangement of Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" as the over four-hour session drew to a close. Although Apfelbaum, playing his saxophone, was seated with band members during the practice, he still offered the students comments about ways the group could improve its sound.
"We're each going to conduct and help shape the performance, which will have some in-the-moment shaping," Apfelbaum said of his and Bernstein's interactions with the group. "We also both want to let the students take the initiative in parts where we're not obviously directing everything."
Apfelbaum and Bernstein are both horn players, which allows them to provide a different perspective than the Fall guest composer, pianist Jason Lindler, Finkelstein said.
"[Apfelbaum and Bernstein are] pretty picky about what they want, but I enjoy that. I feel like it adds to the performance," trumpeter Nate Caron '10 said.
The concert will feature pieces from a variety of genres that range from original pieces by Apfelbaum and Bernstein to their arrangements of classics like "All You Need is Love." This year's set contains a wider range of musical styles than previous years, Caron said.
According to Glasgo, the Coast gives students a great opportunity to work on pieces with their original composers. The Barbary Coast was established in 1979 and originally invited guest artists who would come the day before the performance, he said.
"In the mid '80s I started bringing people in for a longer residency. Now everyone comes in for a week, which changes the dynamic considerably," Glasglo said.
In addition, small workshops focusing on improvisation and theory are scheduled for this week, providing another opportunity to learn from the guest artists, Finkelstein said.
"The whole point of music is that it shouldn't be an uptight experience. It should be a fun experience," Bernstein said. Apfelbaum and Bernstein both encouraged students to attend the performance.
"If you like rhythm, if you like sound, if you like boys or girls, lyrics or drums, you should probably come to the concert," Apfelbaum said.
