Jazz Festival

NEBC Partnership Grants Once again, the NEBC made it possible for our schools and community to join together for an evening of Jazz on March 25, 2008. With over 300 in attendance, the NHS auditorium was filled with music from all jazz eras and styles, from Count Basie to Miles Davis. Student musicians from Newburyport, Ipswich, Pentucket, Amesbury, and Triton High Schools, as well as the Nock Middle School, performed with an outstanding level of musicianship.

A new feature of the Jazz Festival this year was the addition of the NEBC Jazz Combo under the direction of Les Harris Jr.. Members included: Trumpet- Trent Austin, Tenor Sax- Fred Haas, Baritone Sax- Danny Harrington, Trombone- Jeff Galindo, Guitar - Gary Wittner, Piano- Ryan Parker, Bass- Bronek Suchanek, and Drums- Les Harris Jr. . The members fo the NEBC Jazz Combo are some of the most well known and proficient professional jazz musicians in New England. Most are teachers at local Universities and Schools of Music such as Berklee, the University of New Hampshire, and the University of Southern Maine.

This year a new program was also added for the students. Over 100 students met for afternoon workshops with the members of the NEBC Jazz Combo. We were excited to offer this opportunity to our student musicians as they explore ways to make connections between the world of music in school and the professional world of music in Jazz.

We thank all the NHS students who helped with the lighting, sound and logistical support. Their skill and knowledge were essential to our success this year. Eben Diskin was a NHS contributor to this year's festival. Eben captured the entire event on video and edited and produced a performance DVD for all of the Jazz Band Directors.

Win Damon from WNBP 1450 AM radio did a masterful job as announcer for the evening and we especially want to thank the following donors and sponsors: N.A.I.D. Foundation, Strem Chemicals, Bixby International, Union Specialties, Eastern Bank, Institution for Savings, Newburyport Bank, Joseph's Winter Street Cafe and The Friends of Music.

Program Committee Members

Zack Longley & Bill McGowan, co-chairs
Nick deKanter
Thom Stolar
Cheryl Zaino