H I P   H A P P E N I N G S          North Scott High School Jazz Department Newsletter, 2nd Ed.                                                                           November 2003 Introduction Welcome to another swingin' school year with the NSHS Jazz Department! We have a lot of exciting things happening things year, so we thought we'd give you an update. Summer Jazz Band The Summer Jazz Band continued to swing throughout the summer, featuring 25 talented and enthusiastic students. NSHS alum and University of Iowa Music Ed. Major Nick Mixdorf returned as the band's assistant director. The group performed for Scott County jazz lovers at Vanderveer Park and West Music. Thanks to all of the students who volunteered their time and talents last summer!! Jazzers Perform in Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Youth Jazz Ensemble The Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Youth Jazz Ensemble features the finest high school jazz musicians from the Quad Cities Area. Last year and this past summer, six NS students performed with the group. They were: Corey Kendrick, Lee Burress, Shawn Spencer, Katie Leiting, Ryan Arp, and Kristena Easter. They performed at numerous community events and capped off their year with numerous performances at the Bix Jazz Festival in July. "Diminished 7" A jazz combo was formed over the summer by a group of students interested in putting together a "gigging" ensemble. They perform all original arrangements and compositions by the band members, and have performed for a variety of functions, including Riverssance, Arts Expo, Rotary and Lions club meetings, West Music Concert Series, and many others, including weddings! Diminished 7 includes: Lee Burress, trumpet; Courtney Beadel, piano; Kristena Easter, sax; Mark Petersma, trombone; Luke Carlstrom, bass; Shawn Spencer, guitar; Tyler Russell, drums; and Andy Kuhl, drums. World Premiere of Student Arrangement At last Fall's jazz concert with NIU, Jazz 1 premiered a jazz piece transcribed and arranged by Nick Mixdorf ('02), Corey Kendrick ('03), and Katie Leiting ('03), Lee Burress ('04). This year, Jazz 1 will premiere a piece arranged for big band by Katie Leiting and Corey Kendrick. As the final project in JazzTheory/Improvisation Class, the two studied a recording of Eddie Palmieri's "Slowvisor", and wrote out all of the parts for big band based on what they heard on the recording. They have put all of the necessary paperwork through and now own the copyright for their arrangement, which Jazz 1 will premiere on tonight's concert. Jazz Combos to Perform at Fireworks All three NSHS Jazz Combos will be performing at Fireworks Coffee Shop in Moline. Combo B will kick off the first set at 8:30 pm, followed by Combo A and "Diminished 7". The groups played there last year and just had a ball. We hope to see you there! Next Semester, look for the combos at Borders Bookstore, Happy Joes, and Fireworks in Moline once again! Students participating in the combo program are:       DIMINISHED 7- Lee Burress, Trumpet; Mark Petersma, Trombone; Kristena Easter, Alto; Shawn Spencer, Guitar;           Tyler Russell, Drums; Courtney Beadel, Piano; Andy Kuhl, Drums; Luke Carlstrom, Bass;       COMBO A- Rachel Talbot, Alto; Adam Schroeder, Trombone; Jessica Viner, Drums; Lindsay Eickstaedt, Tenor;           Dan Netwal, Bass; Bernie Haas, Trumpet; Kevin Gentz, Trumpet; Zan Preston, Guitar; Marcie VanEe, Drums       COMBO B- Christine Lammers, Piano; Melanie Drenter, Alto; Libby White, Drums; Kelsey Dunn, Alto; Jordan           Roth, Drums / Aux; Drew Thompson, Trumpet; Caitie Dau, Bass; Meredith Abbott, Trumpet; Seth Thompson,           Trombone; Steve McElhiney, Tenor. Jazz 1 to Perform with Victor Mendoza Jazz 1 was recently asked by Augustana College to perform with guest artist Victor Mendoza on January 10, 2004. Victor is a world-renowned jazz vibraphonist / recording artist. The concert will be at Centennial Hall (Augustana College) at 8:00 pm. Jazz 1 will open the concert on their own, and then bring Mr. Mendoza out to perform a few numbers with them. Victor will then play in a small group featuring Jim Dreier on Drums and Steve Grismore on Guitar. For more info on Victor Mendoza, please visit the band webpage- www.nsband.com. Web Page Up and Running!!! The NSHS Band Department web page is now up and running, thanks to web site specialist (and trumpeter/guitarist) Shawn Spencer. He has put together a fully-functional site that will provide information for students and parents, showcase band members, and even display pictures of previous performances, etc. The address is: www.nsband.com Check the website often for the latest band announcements, calendars and schedules, contact information, policies and grading information, itineraries, and much more. We hope parents, students, and the community will use this website to keep informed of what is happening in the NSHS Band Department. Student Perspectives on Jazz Question: What is Jazz to you?       "Jazz is music that makes you want to groove" -Mark P       "Jazz is my emotion- raw and unrefined" -Courtney B       "Jazz is fun" -Derek R       "Jazz is the greatest music ever invented" -Adam S       "Jazz is a whole lot of fun" -Alex P       "It makes me smile and feel good" -Steve M       "Pure madness….'nuff said" -Meredith A       "A way of relaxing and having fun" -Seth T       "Jazz is the nighttime's Saturday morning cartoon" -Jared R       "Jazz is an emotional release that cleanses the soul" -Jessica V Jazz-a-thon Date Announced The Jazz-a-thon will be held on January 31, 2004 in the NSHS Band Room. This will serve as a fund-raiser for the guest artist in the Spring Jazz Concert. Students will be asking for pledges or donations for the event. Performing ensembles include Jazz 1 and Jazz 2, Diminished 7, Combo A, Combo B, and a jazz group consisting of Manny Lopez (trumpet), Neil Smith (sax), Ron Wilson (bass), Manny Lopez, Jr. (drums), Corey Kendrick (piano), and Mike McMann (trombone). Melton Mustafa Signed as Guest Artist for First Annual Spring Jazz Concert The NSHS Jazz Department will be hosting legendary trumpeter Melton Mustafa for the Spring Jazz Concert on May 10, 2004. Mr. Mustafa has performed with both Count Basie and Duke Ellington, and promises to electrify the audience! He will be spending the day working with both High School and Junior High Students, then will take the stage that evening with Jazz 1, following the Jazz 2 performance. For more bio information on Mr. Mustafa, please visit www.nsband.com. Note from the "editor": We would like to thank the Music Boosters for all of their help-many of the events mentioned in this newsletter would not have been possible without their time and support. Thanks also to the parents for the support you give your children and our program. It is obvious why this program continues to be successful. We have many students that go above and beyond the call of duty to further their experiences and enhance others'. Thanks for all that you (the students) do!!!