Submitted
by Al Kanovsky 05/09/15
...and lots of young JAZZ musicians
came out to play and compete in the Essentially Ellington Competition and
Festival.
My day started with 2 rehearsal/mentoring sessions. Both Miami area
bands. First was the Coral Gables Community Arts Program. Ron Carter was the mentor and
covered lots of ground. The importance of being alert to your surrounding
musicians. Use of dynamics when starting a solo. The relationship between drums
and bass. Even how some judge might look askance at band members crossing their
feet when not playing. There are no girls and so Ron said he might be in the
wrong studio. Vincent Gardner recognized the capabilities of the Dillard Jazz Ensemble.
Any group under the tutelage and direction of Mr. Chris Dorsey is going to
produce. Vincent limited his remarks to the use of register by the bassist.
Lower register when the band is in a higher one and vice-versa. He did mention
how important it is to face the audience when taking a solo.
The competition
started with Roosevelt H.S. Seattle WA. They opened with Billy Strayhorn's
"Raincheck". I think, but not sure "Swinging the
BLUES" was next and closing their session with "Chelsea Bridge".
The intro to Bridge was a piano solo using the melody of "A Single
Petal of A Rose" and was very effective. The band had only 1 female
member (alto sax). 5 players in the sax section, 3 trombones, 3 trumpets, piano,
bass & drums. "Raincheck" featured 'dueling' tenors.
The next
band was Agoura Hills. The band is named the Agoura High Studio JAZZ Ensemble.
I lived one valley over from Agoura Hills for 20 years. If you had asked me which
town in the U.S.A. was least likely to have a JAZZ band that would have been
it. Orange groves, a small aircraft airport, cowboy actors and stuntmen---period.
I drove through that community more than 10 times and never saw a woman or a
girl. This band had 3 young ladies in the 5 piece trombone section and 1 in the
5 piece trumpet section. And these gals could play. It had the standard rhythm
section but added congas. No cowboys. All black suits an shirts. Silver ties.
They played "Barzilliance" and "Jack the Bear". It might
have been "Memphis BLUES" that featured the 3 female trombonists.
From Maine, we had the Foxboro H.S. JAZZ Band. I happen to like girls (women) and JAZZ in equal
measures. Add a little BLUES and older women and it has a certain balance. It
heartens me to see an hear so many of the new generation playing JAZZ. 3 of the
5 saxes. 2 of the 4 trumpets and the pianist. Really good t-bone solo on
"Brazilliance". They added a guitar for "Happy Go Lucky"
and that made it really 'swing'.
Now Mr. Charlie can puff his chest cause 2 Wisconsin bands followed. Both very good. Sun Prairie and Beloit
Memorial High Schools. Maybe its the Great Lakes waters but both of these bands
had a good mix of gals --- (the pc police are reading this) young ladies
playing saxes, trombones and trumpets. Sun Prairie played great charts of
"BLUES" and "Moon Over Cuba". Beloit responded with "Harlem
Air Shaft" and a little funky version of "The Mooch". Both bands
did Wisconsin and Charlie proud.
DCA (Dillard Center for the Arts) was
next. They have placed first a couple of times in recent years. You expect
perfection and you get it. When a player from Dillard stands up for a solo
you are going to get a "Stand-up and stand out" performance whether
it be trumpet, sax. piano or bass.
Dillard was followed by another community
program band from Portland, Oregon. It is the American Music Program. It might
be the salt water breezes or canoeing in the bay but this band seemed a bit mature
for high school age. Never the mind. They were great. I am naturally prejudiced
in my judgements favoring my locals but I must say that up till now this is the
band to beat. The trumpet section raised the limits of upper register play.
High notes soaring through the concert hall.
Lyons Township H.S. is from
LaGrange IL. They also had some distaff members. I listened to their version
of "Chelsea Bridge". Truth be told, I was musiced out, hungry
and in need of using the "facilities". I missed the last 2 songs.
C'est la vie (whatever that means).
Al's Disclaimer:
A
short note: The reason I write this is because I love music and words. I do not
book acts. I do not promote acts. I do not accept invitations to review
artists. I go to venues of my own choice. When and where is not influenced by
anything other than who I would like to hear that night or day. If I don't like
what I hear, I won't write about it. When I like it I let you all know. I
never mention a name without asking permission. "Pardon me, Miss. Would
you like to dance?"
~ ~ ~
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