“It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing…”
Jazz music has many moods and tempos, and nearly any instrument that can be blown, strummed, hit with a mallet or stick can be used to make America’s music – jazz. With its origins deeply rooted in African rhythms, blessed by emotionally charged gospel, tempered by traditional measures, and then thrown wild by musical imagination, jazz continues to evolve as successive generations discover its beauty.
On April 14, Old Rochester Regional High School opened its doors for a Night of Jazz as the band reimagined jazz standards for the public with a level of professionalism that transported the audience. Playing a wide variety of tunes from “It Don’t Mean a Thing” to a very smooth rendition of “The Girl from Ipanema” with the mellow harmonic accompaniment of the jazz chorus, the band displayed its chops. But what many in the audience or in the Tri-Town might not realize is that this band really is in full swing.
After nearly a decade or more in ORRHS’s music program, its jazz musicians are hitting all the right notes.
Calling it a “milestone” year for his students, music teacher Mike Barnicle beams with pride as he recalls their achievements.
“For the first time in a least a decade, we’ve reached this level,” said Barnicle. “It’s great to be recognized.”
What Barnicle was referring to is this; in February, the jazz band was invited to participate in the Berklee High School Jazz Festival. There the 20-piece band came in third. But there’s more. During that competition only three students are recognized as “outstanding musicians” from the several hundred who attended. Two of those esteemed prizes went to ORRHS’s own Maxx Wolski (‘17) (vibraphone) and Shane Fitzgerald (’16) (electric guitar).
The band went on to perform in district competitions sponsored by the Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education. There, with outstanding performances, the students earned a gold placement and an invitation to the state finals. In the state finals, they achieved a bronze. No small feat given the level of performance expertise required, never mind walking away with awards.
During the April 14 concert, the audience got to see and hear why this group of hard working young performers has been recognized for their excellence.
Wolski’s remarkable talent on the vibraphone puts one in mind of Lionel Hampton in his prime. Fitzgerald’s nibble fingering of the electric guitar was simply perfection channeling the great Wes Montgomery. Jane Kassabian’s (’16) solo on the muted trumpet was as mellow and pitch perfect as Chet Baker or Miles Davis. And then there was Damon Ivester (’16) whose bass guitar work held the tight tunes together with a rock solid bottom.
The other musicians each added their own well-honed sound into the mix proving once again why this group has done so well in competitions – they have heart, soul and talent.
The band is comprised of: Zecharia Mooney (’18) and Grace Stephens (’18) alto sax; Josh Garcia (’17) and Mia Quinlan (’19) tenor sax; Zenobia Nelles (’16) baritone sax; Jane Kassabian (’16), Cambryn Kidney (“17), Colin O’Malley (’17), Kaeli Peters (’16), and Jack Roussell (’18) trumpet; Collen Beatriz (’16), Sophia Clingman (’19), Jacob Spevack (’17) trombone; Shane Fitzgerald (’16) guitar; Damon Ivester (’16) bass; Joe Gauvin (’17), Eli Spevack (’17) drums/percussion; and Maxx Wolski (’17) vibraphone/keyboard. The band played their versions of “Blue in Green,” “Pick Yourself Up, the Very Thought of You,” and “There’s the Rub.”
There are two more performances – only two more opportunities – to experience the Tri-Town talent this jazz band comprises: May 12 at 7:00 pm at ORRHS’s annual Spring Concert and on May 24 at 7:00 pm in a free Student Jazz Festival sponsored by the Rotch Jones Duff House Garden and Museum.
By Marilou Newell
