Let's Jazz It Up

Last Saturday, February 24th, Southern Utah University hosted the 10th annual Jazz Festival at the Heritage Theater.  Many high school jazz bands from across the state came to Cedar to participate.  Each prepared three pieces:  a swing piece, a ballad, and a third piece of their choice.  There were 4 portions of the day-long festival:

• 9:00 - 12:00: Morning Clinics (Where various bands perform and recieve advice from the judges.  The Canyon View Jazz band performed during this time.)

• 1:00 - 2:00: Improvisation clinic.  An optional portion of the festival, where students were given the opportunity to learn about improvisation.  Students had the chance to join the instructor on stage to practice with a professional.  

• 2:00 - 5:00: Afternoon Clinics

• 7:30:  A special part of the Festival, an evening concert featuring SUU Jazz Ensemble with guest artist Richard Smith.

Like most competitions, the bands performed for three judges.  These judges included David Torres, band director for Southern Utah University; Richard Smith, guitarist from the University of Southern California; and Mckay Tebbs, director of undergraduate music technology at SUU.  The students don’t receive scores at the Jazz Festival, but the judges had favourable comments.  The Canyon View Jazz Band performed 3 pieces:

• Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darrin, featuring vocalist Clarissa Howe.

• Distant Ridges by Kris Berg, featuring a solo from lead alto saxophone player Sarah Sommers

• Sing, Sing, Sing by Louis Prima, featuring solos from lead trumpet player Austin Peterson, lead trombone players Taite Carneseca and Issac Peterson, clarinetist Devin Howe, and drum set player Peyton Roylance

When asked about the band’s performance, director Will Zeller said this:  “We played as well as we ever have.  The judges thought the same.  It’s one of my favourite festivals.  Bands come from across the state and you really get to test your skill.  Our band really proved itself up there with the 6a schools and Cedar.”