My View: Jazz & The Nice American Songbook Are Alive & Properly at The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble

A primary-class expertise! This was removed from what an viewers would anticipate from a highschool efficiency. From the caliber of music to the showstopping numbers, The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble’s efficiency of Night time of Jazz was one I’d anticipate to listen to in New York Metropolis by professionals. I’ll be at Birdland, “The Jazz Nook Of The World with the Birdland Large Band subsequent week and I’ll make sure you inform the professionals about these younger musicians and Wes Lowe their Director of Instrumental Arts at King’s Academy. . The sold-out viewers in West Palm Seashore, Florida, was handled to an inspiring night, highlighting all the pieces that places the “Nice” within the Nice American Songbook.

The Night time of Jazz present featured Artist in Residence, Wycliffe Gordon. He’s actually a contemporary music marvel. When he’s not singing or scatting, Gordon is busy making the trombone sound like a breeze to play. His creative type and virtuosity had been on full show as he exhibited his mastery of various plunger methods, in addition to his ability on the soprano trombone. On this musical journey, Gordon paid homage to the founding-father of modern-day jazz, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, aka “Pops.” 

This Night time of Jazz live performance featured not solely the brilliance of Gordon’s taking part in but additionally an extremely distinctive element of newly commissioned work. These modern items is not going to solely turn out to be the muse of The King’s Academy’s jazz library however will even serve bands throughout the nation. The TKA Jazz Ensemble featured these particular commissioned works particular to this efficiency. Composed and organized by Wycliffe Gordon and retired chief arranger for America Military Band (“Pershing’s Personal”), Mark Taylor, “Palm Seashore Blues” and “Strike Up the Band” are musical tour-de-forces that showcased the facility of this superb younger group. Each Gordon’s and Taylor’s items had been carried out with nice ability and conviction by the TKA Jazz Ensemble underneath the route of Wes Lowe, Director of Instrumental Arts at The King’s Academy.

Alex Donner and Mike McGann Legends Radio hosts represented Dick Robinson’s Society For The Preservation Of The Nice American Songbook and introduced the Society’s Younger Artist Of The 12 months Awards to Maddie Start (vocalist) and Hadiya Stewart (bassist)

Much more spectacular was the ages of the performers and the span of expertise ranges this program develops. The youngest members of the band are solely in 7^th grade with the oldest members being in 12^th grade. All carried out masterfully along with the depth and maturity of a gaggle one would anticipate to be 3 times their ages. This particular night included TKA jazz alumni and Younger Artist Award Winners who returned to take the stage as featured vocalists. Annie Matot and Mikayla Smith had been masterful of their potential to share vocally from the Nice American Songbook, leaving us all mesmerized by their vocal kinds. Moreover, Maddie Start and Hadiya Stewart not solely captivated audiences with their particular person solos, however they had been additionally acknowledged and introduced as the distinguished Younger Artists of the 12 months by the Society for the Preservation of the Nice American Songbook.

TKA Affiliate Director of Instrumental Arts & GRAMMY Music Educator Award Recipient Mickey Smith, Jr. wowed the viewers with the sharp distinctive tone of his saxophone. Collectively, he and Gordon, introduced the home down with deeply highly effective renditions of “Superb Grace” and “We’re Nonetheless Right here.” General, the Jazz Program at The King’s Academy exemplified tonight that jazz is, certainly, alive and nicely on this group. The King’s Academy is creating not only a narrative for the case of jazz and our youngsters however is performing the soundtrack of preservation whereas redefining the sound of jazz itself for the following technology.

Tonight, I used to be capable of not solely hear music however to see the sound of our future. Highschool and school band administrators ought to significantly take into account discovering out extra concerning the modern, instrumental instruction taking place by means of this highly effective instructing workforce at The King’s Academy. Wes Lowe and Mickey Smith, Jr. are doing greater than instructing, they’re reaching new heights and serving to college students discover their voice and uncover their sound by means of jazz.

This yr’s Night time of Jazz was a musical expertise that was inspiring, modern, and entertaining which by no means strayed removed from primary jazz truths. It was nothing in need of superb. My solely remorse was that the evening needed to finish.