Panther Jazz Band: Running at Full Steam

Those who join the high-school jazz band get to perform at fund raisers, crab feeds with the middle school, a jazz festival competition, jazz honor band, open house and school concerts, to name a few.  However, three events in an 11-day stretch ratchets things up a notch, and if you throw extra practices into an already full schedule, you have a very devoted and worthy jazz band. 

First stop: the Folsom Jazz Festival on Jan. 29, hosted by Folsom High School.  More than 50 schools from California and Nevada convened to compete and learn. Leaving the house at 5:30 a.m. and arriving back home at 1 a.m., the parents and kids were tired but exhilarated. 

It was truly a treat to be surrounded with jazz played by high-school musicians who were so competent that it was hard to believe their ages.  The Panthers played in a very upscale venue with a stage backlit by swanky blue lighting. 

The Panthers played swell songs, such as That’s How We Roll by Bob Mintzer, making it hard for the audience to sit still.  In the evening, all schools were seated in the auditorium to watch the top schools perform one at a time.  One parent noticed the respect and support all the musicians showed other bands that they had competed against earlier in the day.  The musicians know they’re in a unique niche, and sportsmanship was evident everywhere. At the end of the day, two BHS musicians, Liam Robertson and Nick Garcia, brought home Medals of Excellence.  

Second stop: the 3^rd Annual Jazz ‘N Crab Feed at the Benicia Clock Tower on Friday, Feb 4. This event, chaired by Panther Booster Leslie Blackie, was jointly hosted by the middle- and high-school music program, and has become a very popular event — it was sold out at 350 guests.  The air was snapping with the feeling a great party was about to start.  The main story of the night could be called “A Tale of Two Bands” because the Panther Jazz band was joined by another excellent jazz band: the Viking band from Benicia Middle School, directed by Glenn Walp. 

Many of the Panthers got their first taste of jazz band when in middle school and enjoyed it so much they continued in high school, where it is an actual class with more intense study and performances under the direction of Patrick Martin.  While the two jazz bands performed back and forth, other band members put on their work clothes to serve, haul and carry. 

It was very touching to see each middle-school musician paired with a high-school buddy.  The audience was treated to fabulous food, music and gift items.  Toward the end, many guests gave in and danced because the music was too good to pass up. Again, it was hard to believe these were students and not professional bands. 

The last stop, but certainly not least, was the Solano County High School Honor Jazz Band in Dixon, where five BHS jazz band musicians auditioned and were chosen. Benicia was one of seven schools represented, but made up more than a fourth of the band.  The practice schedule got them home as late as 10:30 p.m. on some nights for three weeks, but their guest director made it worthwhile. 

At one practice, he had the musicians dance to their music to help them feel it so their mannerisms would reflect fun and celebration during the concert.  They studied and practiced five new pieces. On performance night, the director’s enthusiasm was infectious. He playfully reacted to the music during the concert as though hearing it for the first time.  All the Panthers had solos, which are usually improvised.  

This past month was a great one for experiencing the joy of jazz. It’s winter time, and the listening is easy.

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