When most people think of great jazz performances, they think of forgotten, smoky basement nightclubs in the heart of downtown cities with an Ellington, Parker, or Hampton blowing.
Rarely do high schoolers come to mind, mostly because we assume they're into death metal, emo indie rock, Porno for Pyros Butthole Surfers type of contemporary music, not jazz.
But jazz, cool jazz, is what Starbucks' successful, annual Hot Java Cool Jazz event is all about.
Five of Western Washington's finest, award-winning high school jazz bands - Garfield, Edmonds-Woodway, Newport, Mountlake Terrace and Roosevelt - hit the stage in downtown Seattle's Paramount Theatre at 7:30 p.m., March 19 to perform a benefit concert. It's Starbucks way of giving back to the youth, by having proceeds from the concert go to their individual music programs.
Garfield High School's jazz band keeps winning awards.
That there are even five outstanding high school jazz bands at all is kind of a miracle, considering the low-level ranking of the fine arts in the minds of the powers that be that run and fund public schools across this nation.
Reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies seem more important by the very nature of their mandatory status.
Full credit goes to the music departments' staff who tirelessly give of themselves, their time, often their money, to help these amazing kids foster a love and appreciation of jazz.
Many from such supported programs go on to careers performing and teaching jazz, continuing the circle of giving back.
Individually, the participating high school bands have won their fair share of impressive awards, toured Europe, and competed in countless festivals.
For more info: (877) STG-4TIX. Purchase tickets ($15 adults, $8 students and seniors) at certain Starbucks locations, the Paramount Theatre box office or online. The Paramount Theatre is located on 911 Pine Street in downtown Seattle.
BY Jazz Music Examiner / Carol Banks Weber
February 27, 7:58 PM
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