KHS JAZZ ENSEMBLE AT UPAC

Last Thursday, I had the privilage of attending the Kingston S-Cool Jazz Festival at UPAC on Broadway. These kids have talent!

Staring with the J Watson Baily Jazz Ensemble, I got to see the youngest group of performers belt out a couple of classics ending with Ellington's Caravan. It was fun to see and hear them as they provided their own interpretation.

Followed by the Miller Ensemble, you got to hear the progression of experience that a few extra years of practice will provide. I have to say, Strayhorns "Take the A Train" had everyone boppin their heads.

The unique appearance was by what Director Shaut described as probably the only School Woodwind Jazz group in America. (that he knew of)
Their version of "On the street where you live" was interesting to hear with just those instruments.

The evening closed with the High School Jazz Ensemble bringing down the house with five classics ending with Ellington's Cottontail. The theatre was well occupied and mixed with proud parents and Jazz enthusiasts from around the area. This performance highlighted the need to fully fund the high arts in our schools. You'd never find the talent and shape it into the graduating artists that we saw that night had we not nurtured the musician in our youngest students.