The Rolling Stone's Michael Davis in a "Night of Jazz"

Renowned trombonist, Michael Davis of the Rolling Stones performed in Port Washington on June 3rd in a “Night of Jazz”. Davis coached jazz bands from Weber and Schreiber in a three day Jazz workshop which culminated in a concert featuring five different student jazz bands. Michael Davis was a featured soloist and joined the jazz bands performing alongside the students in the ensembles.

The evening began with Kevin Scully, director of creative arts for the school district introducing Mr. Davis. The first band to perform was the 6th Grade Jazz Band with a rendition of “Killer Joe.” Davis joined the 6th graders, stepping forward to solo with a silky smooth legato and then skillfully stepping back into the ensemble, “high five-ing” one of the young trombonists. Next up was the 7th and 8th Grade Jazz Band on “Groove Bug”. The Schreiber Jazz Improvisation Class followed and featured a jazz singer on “Autumn Leaves”.

Davis stepped up to the microphone and spoke of his memories of Miles Davis. He invited a small percussion group to join him and they “tossed” solos back and forth in a tight jazz composition. The Schreiber Jazz Ensemble was so large that it needed to be split into two groups. Two memorable pieces “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and “Uptown Funk” were performed by the each group. As is tradition, the last performance of the evening was “Chameleon” where each of the twelve graduating seniors stood and performed a solo.

Davis, who has toured and recorded with Frank Sinatra for 6 years, has also recorded 9 solo CDs authored 10 books and appeared on over 500 CDs and motion picture soundtracks. As a master trombonist, he has travelled the world offering clinics for aspiring jazz musicians. He is a recognized author of books on trombone as well as musical arrangements. The list of artists that Davis has worked with includes luminaries Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, Tony Bennett, Jay Z, Sting, Sheryl Crow, and Paul Simon. Legendary Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts noted, “In this bone dry era, it is essential to have Michael Davis around.”

Currently, Davis is performing in the orchestra of the Tony awarded Broadway show, “Something Rotten”. Port Washington and Schreiber Alumni clarinetist, Greg Thymius is also performing in the pit of “Something Rotten” and remarked about Michael Davis, “Getting to play with someone who has that kind of experience and ability on a regular basis is one of the perks and joys in this otherwise crazy business. When it gets too crazy Michael’s the one with a ready quip that breaks us all up” Greg added “Incidentally, Michael told me that he had a great time with the kids and was impressed with the music program in Port Washington.”

The opportunity to study and perform with Michael Davis was made possible by a grant from HEARTS (Helping Enrich the Arts). One of the students who performed in “Night of Jazz” was Sixth Grader, Samantha Radinsky. She has studied flute since the fourth grade and when asked what was the most important thing she learned from Davis she said “All the instruments have important parts and if one of them isn’t there the sound will be different.”

After the concert, Davis commented to me, “I want to thank to all the kids and their parents.”  He added “There is nothing more inspiring than the music educators.” Jason Cherry, Elizabeth Andrew, Allison Friedman, Anthony Pinelli, Jr. and John Meyer, Jr are the music educators and conductors of the Weber and Schreiber Jazz bands.

For more information

on the Port Washington School District Creative Arts program:

http://www.portnet.k12.ny.us/Page/8015.

For more information on HEARTS or to make a donation to provide more grants like “Night of Jazz” http://www.heartspw.org/

For additional photos, please go to

https://www.facebook.com/heartspw?fref=ts

R+sTUDEW!\

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