Sunday, December 09, 2012

Webster Groves HS jazz bands to perform Christmas show on December 12, at The Pageant on January 11

The Webster Groves High School jazz bands have announced two upcoming public concerts.

Getting in the holiday spirit, WGHS' Jazz I big band will perform Stan Kenton's 1961 album A Merry Christmas in its entirety at 7:00 p.m. this Wednesday, December 12 at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, 45 W. Lockwood Ave. The concert is free and open to the public, but donations will be accepted.

The Jazz I big band and other WGHS jazz ensembles also will be featured in the program's annual concert at The Pageant, which will take place at 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 11. The WGHS bands will be joined by MetroBones, the all-star student trombone ensemble directed by Dave Dickey, and bands from Hixson Middle School.

Trombonist and jazz educator Michael Dease (pictured), who's played with the big bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, Jimmy Heath, Charles Tolliver and others and teaches at Michigan State University, will be the concert's guest artist. Tickets are $20 at the door.

WGHS director of bands Kevin Cole also reports that four members of the Jazz I ensemble made it into this year's Missouri All-State jazz band, with 3 more recognized as alternates.

No comments: