April 19, 2024

Annual Night of Jazz is Friday

By Newton Daily

Members of Jazz I are: Lucas Sanders, Leah Hunter, Jonah Keeton, Chris Thorpe, Stephanie Hoebelheinrich, Tessa Keeton, Maddy Berstler, Adrienne Bergman, Sarah Jackson, Tyler Dafflitto, Carolyn Thurmond, Grant Nook, Connor McAdoo, Maddy Bleeker, Emily Mehmen, Melanie Stice, Kate Wyre, Katherine Thorpe and Jessie Smith. (Submitted Photo)

The Newton High School Music Department’s annual Night of Jazz will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the high school Center for Performance.

The Berg Middle School Jazz Band, comprised of just more than 40 seventh and eighth grade students who have been practicing since November, will start the evening.

The middle school jazz band, under the direction of Seth Banwell, will perform the following selections: “Attitude Adjustment,” featuring soloists: Matt Moran, trumpet; Daniel Lopez-Sanders, tenor sax; Nathan Miller, trombone and Giavanna Gast, alto sax; “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” featuring soloists: Dune Carter, trumpet; and “Super-Sized,” featuring soloists: Korie Jack, tenor sax; Nicholas Tremel, trombone; Delaney Naselroad, alto sax; and Molly Coy, trumpet.

The Newton High School Jazz Lab, which rehearses weekly after school, will perform three selections for jazz enthusiasts: “Straight No Chaser,” featuring soloists: Sarah Jackson, trumpet and Rhandyn Oldfield, bari sax; “Traces,” featuring soloists: Maddy Humphrey, tenor sax; and “Minnie the Moocher,” featuring soloist: Rhandyn Oldfield, bari sax.

The Newton High School Jazz I has selected five tunes to perform that jazz lovers will surely enjoy. Selections are: “Hard Bargain,” featuring soloists: Grant Nook, trombone; Chris Thorpe, piano; Kate Wyre, alto sax; and Jonah Keeton, guitar; “Lady Bird,” featuring soloists: Grant Nook, trombone; Kate Wyre, alto sax; and the saxophone section; “Can’t We Be Friends,” featuring soloists: Maddy Berstler, trumpet; and Chris Thorpe, piano; “The Chicken,” featuring soloists: Melanie Staice, alto sax; Grant Nook, trombone; Sarah Jackson, trumpet; and Jonah Keeton, guitar; and “Memphis Blues,” featuring soloists: Kate Wyre, alto sax; Chris Thorpe, piano; and Jessie Smith, bari sax. The Jazz Lab and Jazz I are under the direction of Jim Bereends.

The NHS Midnight Express, directed by Norm Grimm, will perform the following selections: “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” and “Steal Away to Heaven” with special guests, BMS Cardinal Company; “I Got Rhythm,” “Moon River,” and “Chattanooga Cho Choo.”

Dessert will be served at the conclusion of the concert in the high school cafeteria at no charge.

Admission to the concert is $5 for adults and $3 for students.