Jazz concert features variety

Waseca's jazz bands, directed by Devon Lawrence, Paul Davis and Jay Downie, held their spring concert the evening of May 19. Two special acknowledgments also occurred during the concert. The Clifford Brown Award for leadership, attitude, and musicianship was given to Elias Nevalainen, a member of the Jazz Blue ensemble. The Louis Armstrong Award, a nationally recognized title, was presented to Hannah Wilder, a member of the Jazz One ensemble. Both winners were selected based on votes from their fellow musicians.

The evening's program began with the junior high jazz band presenting five numbers. They began with “Samba de Ronda” by Dean Sorenson, featuring soloists Ryan Yoder, Taylor Markeson, Megan Feldkamp, and Elliott Galle followed by “Danza para mi Hija,” or “Dance for my Daughter,” by Ethan Freier with soloists Yoder, Markeson, Megan Hudak, and Khloe Nelson, “Work Song” arranged by Terry White with soloists Galle and Sam Feldkamp, “Jive Samba” by Steve Parsons with soloists Violet Rohwer, Markeson, Sam Feldkamp, and Yoder, and finally “Moondance” arranged by Mike Story with soloists Markeson, Galle, Lillian Peterson, Jacob Harguth, Nelson, and Jameson Haley.

Next to perform was the high school's Jazz Blue ensemble, which meets twice weekly and performed four numbers. “Stolen Moments” by Oliver Nelson and arranged by Mark Taylor featured soloists Nevalainen, Andrick Balderas, Paige Dufault, and Patrick Howe, “Bye Bye Blackbird” by Mort Dixon and Ray Henderson and arranged by Dave Rivello featured Nevalainen as soloist, whom Director Lawrence referred to as “our own Miles Davis.” The next tune was “Knockout!” by Erik Shepburne with soloists Balderas, Katie Olsen, Allen Kopetzki, and Ellery Waldron, and the group finished their performance with “Pollo Rojo” by Les Sabina, featuring Olsen as soloist, which they were able to play this year at the Eau Claire Jazz Festival.

The Jazz Combo ensemble, a group which meets once each week and focuses on improvisational jazz, then performed. Lawrence called this ensemble “a select group of individuals who really enjoy the improv side of things.” Jazz Combo consists of eight members: Noah Dahle on trumpet, Cyrus Guse on baritone saxophone, Ryan Leigh on trombone, Josie Perrizo on tenor saxophone, Hannah Wilder on alto saxophone, Tarun Ewest on bass, Corrick Medina on drums, and Norah Schimming on piano and vibraphone. They performed two numbers, “Short Stuff” by Cedar Walton and “Song for my Father '' by Horace Silver which consisted largely of improvisational solos by every member of the group.

The last ensemble to perform was Jazz One, which meets three times weekly and performed four numbers. “Fascinating Rhythm” by George Gershwin and arranged by Paul Clarke opened their set, featuring solos by Wilder, Kya Hoof, Leigh, Ethan Davis, Dahle, and Medina, followed by “Truly” by Lionel Richie and arranged by Sammy Nestico featuring Leigh as soloist, “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder and arranged by Michael Phillip Mossman with soloists Hoof, Perrizo, and Medina, and “Michelangelo” by Astor Piazzolla and arranged by Fred Sturm with soloists Guse and Dahle.

The show ended with a finale performed by the combined Junior High-High School Jazz Bands, playing “Watermelon Man” by Herbie Hancock and arranged by Chris Sharp. During this finale, students from all bands were invited to play improvisational solos and duets.

The Jazz Band directors give thanks to their fellow music staff, the JHHS administration, secretaries and custodians, the Band Boosters, and the parents and students who participate in and support the jazz bands..