The Harborfields High School Jazz Band traveled to Nesaquake Middle School in Smithtown on Feb. 3 for SCMEA’s annual Day of Jazz. Shortly after arriving and warming up, the band began its morning with a wonderful play-along session with a professional big band. In this unique workshop environment, where each member of Harborfields' ensemble sat beside their adult instrumental counterpart, students had the opportunity to perform Sammy Nestico’s Count Basie-associated “Fancy Pants” for the One More Once Big Band, receive tips and feedback, hear that ensemble play and model the piece, and finish things off by joining forces with them for one last supersized take on that classic.
The second portion of this Day of Jazz gave the students an opportunity to connect with Grammy-nominated composer/arranger Oded Lev-Ari during their adjudication session. The HHS Jazz Band performed three selections from its current repertoire – Mark Taylor’s arrangement of Duke Ellington’s “Creole Love Call,” Billy Strayhorn’s arrangement of jazz standard “Laura” and “trad jazz” winner “Dixieland Jubilee” – and Lev-Ari offered positive, constructive feedback in a motivating manner.
“There’s nothing like standing in front of a professional in the field, playing music and hearing what they have to say and how you can improve,” Jazz Band Director Dan Bilawsky said. “We always take so much away from SCMEA’s Day of Jazz, and this year was no exception.”
Date Added: 2/7/2024