School Of Jazz

Informações:

Sinopse

The Northwest jazz scene is enhanced by some of the finest high school bands in the country, including Garfield and Roosevelt who are perennial finalists in the national Essentially Ellington Competition. Jazz has a tradition of teaching, learning and sharing and for KNKX, jazz education and performance is vital to the musics future. School Of Jazz sponsors include, Integrative Family Law , BECU , Beacon Plumbing and Half Price Books .

Episódios

  • Decatur High's jazz all-stars have big fun in the KNKX studios with Alex Dugdale

    05/02/2020 Duração: 21min

    Located between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, Decatur High School in Federal Way is in prime position to soak up all the arts activities on offer. And these teenagers are creating their own art as part of a successful and still-growing jazz program.

  • Kate Olson and Snohomish H.S. Jazz Allstars brighten a winter day in the KNKX studios

    03/02/2020 Duração: 24min

    Snohomish High School's band program celebrates it's 90th year this year, and the allstar jazz ensemble showed us how talented their musicians are. With saxophonists Kate Olson and Brent Jensen in mentor and instructor roles, it's clear there's some fantastic jazz blowing down from the north.

  • School of Jazz studio session with the all-stars of Ingraham High

    21/01/2020 Duração: 24min

    Ingraham High School's jazz program is booming, expanding to include a pair of big bands under the direction of Shane Henderson. With their mentor, saxophonist Peter Daniel, Ingraham's all-star jazz ensemble showed off their passion for this music in the KNKX studios with a trio of classic tunes.

  • CWU jazz all-stars return to the KNKX studios

    27/11/2019 Duração: 33min

    For a third time, KNKX hosted an all-star jazz ensemble from Central Washington University for a studio session performance. The fresh faces of this combo did have some familiarity, with two former School of Jazz high schoolers in the group as well as our friend, saxophonist Mark Taylor, acting as mentor.

  • A magical visit from the jazz all-stars of Eckstein Middle School

    19/11/2019 Duração: 26min

    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

  • Jazz students at Bellevue College show off many skills

    02/08/2019 Duração: 32min

    Under the direction of Jim Sisko for the past seven years, the jazz program at Bellevue College is emphasizing a more diverse set of musical skills. The well respected big band remains, but students are focusing more on small groups, improvisation, arranging and composition. When Sisko brought an all-star combo from the college into the KNKX studios, he told us that new focus is paying dividends.

  • Ballard High's jazz ensemble hits the KNKX studios, ya betcha!

    11/06/2019 Duração: 30min

    With one of the area's finest trumpet players acting as mentor, the all-star ensemble from Ballard High School's award-winning jazz program proved that these young musicians belong in any conversation about the northwest's finest teenage jazz bands.

  • Timberline High's inspired School of Jazz band hits the KNKX studios

    19/04/2019 Duração: 17min

    After nearly two decades leading the bands at Timberline High School in Lacey, Cal Anderson knows he has some special players on his hands now. Performing three varied standards in the KNKX studios, these five young men impressed our audience and their mentor, Andy Omdahl.

  • School Of Jazz: Mercer Island High School

    10/04/2019 Duração: 25min

    We were so please to have the Mercer Island High School Combo for a School Of Jazz studio performance. Not only did they play some challenging works – they were also able to let us on their musical influences as well as why they love jazz. Band teacher Brian Lawrence described how he chose the tunes for the session. You can catch Dan Marcus preforming with EntreMundos and well as coaching the Seattle Youth Symphony. Musicians: Trumpet: Brennan Tien Trumpet: Justin Lesko Alto Saxophone: Cindy Huang Piano: Harry Brown Bass: Grady Short Drums: Otto Sharples Trombone (Mentor): Dan Marcus

  • Talented teens put Monroe on the jazz map

    29/03/2019 Duração: 24min

    The all-star jazz ensemble from Monroe High School, calling themselves Kelsey and the Boys, showed their love of jazz in the KNKX studios. The session provided a good reminder that as the Northwest grows, the once-small-town of Monroe is growing an impressive jazz program.

  • The Kenji Wagner Quintet takes us to the jazz clubhouse

    11/01/2019 Duração: 30min

    Asked about learning jazz in the red-hot Northwest scene, Interlake High School junior Kenji Wagner told us the best part is sharing jazz with the community of teenage musicians he encounters.

  • Dylan Hayes' Jazz College Days

    19/09/2018 Duração: 22min

    We first encountered talented pianist Dylan Hayes performing with a trio at Centrum's Jazz Pt. Townsend camp this Summer, and we knew this young man was ready for the KNKX studios. Hayes is in his final year studying jazz at Cornish College in Seattle, and he brought a fellow student and a few friends in town for a sonic display of his skills as a player, bandleader and composer. He's been working with his own big band and the large ensemble led by Jim Knapp, as well as various small groups around town for a couple years. This Studio Session blended Hayes' talents on acoustic and electric keyboards, with terrific moments for all five members of his quintet. Having known drummer Xavier Lecouturier since high school, their collaborations were the most impressive. Especially noteworthy was their co-written song "XD", but all three originals required plenty of sheet music for all the players. In spite of the concentration on the pages, the music carried the organic feeling of having been

  • School Of Jazz Triple-Play With Seattle JazzED

    13/09/2018 Duração: 27min

    KNKX hosted students of Seattle JazzED's Summer Advanced Institute for a second time in August, and the kids set a new record for largest group to play in our studios. A total of 29 students split into 3 combos with mentors Riley Mulhelkar (trumpeter with the Westerlies, this Seattle native now lives in New York City), Sammy Miller (New York-based drummer who leads Sammy Miller and the Congregation), and Marina Albero (the Spanish pianist who's thrilled Seattle audiences upon her arrival in 2014). Each of the mentors stressed the importance of teamwork in jazz education, and these kids certainly got along well. Another point of mention to the students was to enjoy each moment you get to play, that seemed baked into the day with Seattle JazzED. The non-profit organization has been working hard to provide the best jazz education possible for Puget Sound area kids since 2010, and this year participation has grown to serve over 900 kids. Their space at the MLK F.A.M.E. Community Center in

  • South Puget Sound Community College And The Evergreen State College

    06/08/2018 Duração: 33min

    It was a fun jazz session with a great group of students, which included two different schools and a variety of age groups. The energy brought by some of the young lions melded nicely with the older aesthetic. The first song by Sun Ra titled “El is a Sound of Joy.” Mentor Keyboardist Josh Rawlings was happy to hear the group was already doing the song and encouraged them to “get weirder on it” and to explore the dynamic range and tempo. Next the group tackled “Angel Eyes” by Earl Bent and Matt Dennis with an arrangement by Rawlings. The final tune the group played “Climbing Stairs” written by Rawlings and patterned after the works of Abdulla Ibrahim and Ahmad Jamal. Josh played a vintage Rhodes organ made popular in the 1970s by artists such as Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock. He was first introduced to the instrument by a trumpeter who brought one to a gig at a Vietnamese restaurant and was hooked when he first played it. Danielle Westbrook is a continuing education student at SPSCC

  • Central Washington University Jazz Ensemble With Mentor Pianist Dawn Clement

    22/05/2018 Duração: 28min

    Students from Central Washington University and pianist Dawn Clement performed in our Seattle studios for a special School of Jazz performance. Bassist Domi Edson arranged the first tune, a lively fun rendition of Chick Corea’s “Spain.” She said she has most of her ideas for arrangements at night when trying to fall asleep. It was fun watching Owen Evans, Ryan McKnight and Henry Sparks trading solos on the alto saxophone, tenor saxophone and trombone. Next, they played “Dance A Little Mandezza” by Renee’ McClaine. Alto saxophonist Owen Evans did this arrangement. The group ended with a boozy bluesy rendition of “Driftin’” by Herbie Hancock with an arrangement for Domi Edson.

  • Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz Combo And Mentor Saxophonist Steve Treseler

    12/05/2018 Duração: 27min

    We welcomed an energetic and skilled high school combo into our studios with Mountlake Terrace. Band members included leader Ethan Pyke on trombone, Benjamin Leonard on tenor sax, Henry Smith-Hunt on trombone, Gian Neri on guitar, Andrew Vinther on bass, Josh Setala on drums and Dimitrio Neri on piano. In discussing inspirations, Pyke thanked his band directors and his grandmother who is a devout musician, Pianist Neri pointed to his brothers, Smith-Hunt said his band directors, Guitarist Neri picked Wynton Marsalis due to his humility, Leonard pointed to his current high school, Vinther said his directors and his family, Treseler mentioned Young and Coletrane and Setala said his current band really inspired him when he was younger. The band is one of three Northwest finalists in this year’s Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition in New York City. (Roosevelt and Ballard High Schools are also finalists.) Pyke said he’s looking forward to being around hundreds of high

  • School Of Jazz Live At Seattle Pacific University

    24/04/2018 Duração: 27min

    The KNKX School of Jazz hit the road for a performance at Seattle Pacific University's beautiful Nickerson Studios and we were knocked out by the talented sextet that makes up the S.P.U. Jazz Ensemble. Guitarist Chase Rabideau told us that S.P.U. is one of the few places you can earn a degree in his chosen field, Music Therapy, right after showing off his beautiful acoustic guitar technique on the Antonio Carlos Jobim song "Look to the Sky." We heard from bassist Tim Bartlett that today's young jazz musicians need to understand the long history of this music in order to create their own new styles. The ensemble selected a pair of lesser-known hard bop compositions by the great saxophonist Hank Mobley, each player soloing with confidence throughout. Not everyone in the band is pursuing a degree in music. Logan Bryan is an engineering student who joined the group to expand his skills on saxophones and to give his tired brain some much needed moments away from the stacks of math books.

  • Tahoma “Five” Jazz Combo With Mentor Bobby Medina

    17/04/2018 Duração: 27min

    The students from Tahoma High School in Maple Valley, Wash. performed effortlessly in our studios for their School Of Jazz studio performance. Led by trumpeter and mentor Bobby Medina, the group kicked off their performance with a rendition of “Girl From Ipanema.” Next, the group performed “Just The Two Of Us” by American singer-songwriter Bill Withers. The group listed their influences that ranged from their parents to jazz legends. The group finished their performance playing the jazz standard “Killer Joe” composed by Benny Golson. Matthew Cole directs the band at Tahoma High School. Band Bobby Medina - trumpet Haylee Frame - sax Zach Ceccato - guitar Lizzy Burt - piano Trevor Lind - bass Caleb Hays - drums

  • Elijah Baradi Quintet - Burnin' Boys From The Eastside

    23/02/2018 Duração: 35min

    They planned it out and executed flawlessly. The teens of drummer Elijah Baradi's Quintet were well prepared for their KNKX School of Jazz studio session. Unlike most groups of a high school age, this talented group from Interlake High in Bellevue played live on 88.5 without an adult mentor. They didn't need one. Drumming since age 6, Baradi drives a strong rhythm section. The sophomore teams with seniors Mert Selcuk on piano and Kai Wagner at the upright bass, an instrument this electric bass player only recently picked up. Kai's brother Kenji forms the "brass section" on trombone and trumpet, with fellow sophomore Ishaan Ghose on tenor sax. Both horn players held nothing back, blowing rapid-fire solos that only caffeinated 16-year-olds can manage. As Ghose explained, the band put a lot of thought into their session setlist. Start with a standard everyone knows to get the audience hooked. Then slow the room down with a meditative groover, and finish with an uptempo "banger" to bring