Jazz Band Takes SOPAC Stage in Finale Concert
The Columbia Jazz Band, under the direction of Mr. Peter Bauer, burned down the house at SOPAC on February 18, performing two sets of greats and standards for a near-sold-out crowd. Highlights included Birdland (Josef Zawinul, arr. Larry Kerchner); I want You Back (Freddie Green, Alphonso Mizell, Berry Gordy, and Deke Richards, arr. John Wasson); and Keys to the Heart (Larry Neeck). But really, every tune cooked and was better than the last.
The concert is a culmination of the ensemble’s season, and is made possible through the SOPAC Arts in Education Programs, which is supported in part by NJ State Council on the Arts, Orange Orphan Society, Maplewood Foundation and PSEG Foundation. This performance and the Music Residency program at Columbia High School were made possible by support from Cougar Boosters of Maplewood South Orange, CHSMPA and SOPAC Arts in Education Programs.
Through this program, student-musicians not only get to perform in the beautiful South Orange Performing Arts Center, they participated in multiple ensemble, small-group and even one-on-one workshops over the fall and winter with living Jazz Legends and performers from all over. They mentored studes on on technique, style, improvising, performance and just appreciating jazz.
Our visiting musicians included John Lee (bass guitar), Eric Alexander (tenor saxophone), Alex Collins (keyboard), Mark Gross (alto saxophone), Freddie Hendrix (trumpet), Jason Jackson (trombone), Karl Latham (drums/percussion), and Courtney Sappington (guitar).
The concert itself was an expression of pure joy, with each individual musician’s skill and musicianship shining through. The audience was treated to some individual features, too, which left them wowed.
CHSMPA extends warm thanks and congratulations to Mr. Bauer and all the musicians. We also extend our gratitude to SOPAC and its incredible staff and crew for helping to our musicians present their best, and to Cougar Boosters and the SOPAC Arts in Education Program. And of course, many thanks to the visiting musicians that have coached and help develop our students’ talents.
If you couldn’t make this performance, you can catch the Jazz Ensemble at the Al Farah CHS Booster Classic Golf Tournament Cocktail Party benefit at Maplewood Country club on Monday, April 27, while helping raise money for this generous and important group. Get your tickets here.
All photos courtesy Julia Venderosa Photography. Many thanks to Julia for these beautiful photos of our student musicians.