WAMS Jazz Band and Rock Orchestra Spring Concert 2015

The third and final concert presented by the Music Department at Waterbury Arts Magnet School (WAMS) was held on Thursday night once again at the Palace Theater next door to their Waterbury campus. The featured ensembles were the Rock Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Ridgeway, and the Jazz Band, under the direction of Mr. Andrew Caruk and the multi-talented Mr. Phillip Sterling.

The students of Rock Orchestra opened the show with what proved to be an amazing set. The group began with David Bowie’s “Suffragette City” with drummer CJ Janis on lead vocals. Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “So Far Away” by Avenged Sevenfold, and the Beatles “Polythene Pan” followed. Maroon Five’s “This Love” featured the wonderful Gerald Mullings singing the lead with some band members on back-up vocals. Their final numbers were both by Stray Cats, “Stray Cat Strut” and “Too Hip Gotta Go” and featured Brock Sanford on wonderful lead vocals.

Rock Orchestra members include Miles LeBarre on keyboard, Brock Sanford on bass and vocals, Kristina Deyo on guitar (who did an amazing job on her first guitar solo ever,) Emma Walsh on guitar and vocals, Mateo Macias on acoustic guitar and vocals, and Christian “CJ” Janis on drums and vocals. Their instructor expressed repeatedly what a pleasure it is to work with this talented group of students and could not have been prouder of each one of them.

After a short break to reset the stage, the members of the jazz band were seated on the stage in sharp black and white to perform their set of various jazz style pieces that included many solos by various students. Dean Sorenson and Bruce Pearson wrote “Blues at Frog Bottom,” “River Rat Shuffle,” “Where Do We Go From Here,” “Swing Fever,” and “Into the Sun.” The next piece brought back memories when Quincy Jones’ “Sanford and Son” was played; this was a highlight of the evening. “Party Rock Anthem” arranged by Paul Murtha closed the evening’s performance.

Jazz Band members include Farhha Feroz on flute, Myles LaBarre (again) Tania Jimenez, and Thomas Stoehrer on alto sax, Angel Llanos on baritone sax, Tyriq Andrews on tenor sax, Brittany Romaniello on piano, Eric Heredia, Michael Kalinin and Justice Walker on trumpet, Sami Barult on bass guitar, Korey Hunter and Shimel Lewis and band teacher Phillip Sterling on trombone. I have reached the conclusion that Mr. Sterling plays just about every instrument there is.

Congratulations to all the musicians that took part in this impressive concert. Principal Lauren Elias was in the audience with the parents and friends who attended to enjoy the evening of music.