School Of Jazz

Saxophonist Anton Schwartz wished he'd had more time to work with the young jazz combo from Eckstein Middle School. In the KNKX studios, these six young women stepped up and showed Schwartz there was no need to be nervous. These kids can really play. Eckstein Middle School's stellar reputation for early jazz education comes largely from the director of the school's jazz bands, Moc Escobedo. Last year he was given the Jazz Education Achievement Award from Downbeat Magazine, which noted Mr. Escobedo's "legendary work ethic." Schwartz voiced his emphatic appreciation for Escobedo, marveling at his ability to get young musicians so excited about playing jazz. An exciting set of music is what this band produced in our studios. Schwartz let the all-star sextet play a pair of jazz standards on their own, then joined them for an impressive performance of his tune, "Phantom Dance." The band took a few minutes before the studio session to polish up some rough edges, but they sounded confident