Jazz Groups attend State Jazz Festival
by Craig Sheppard
February 13, 2006
The Pinedale Jazz Band and Jazz Choir traveled to Casper College last week to participate in the 39th annual Kinser Jazz Festival.
The band performed four tunes for their judges and were rated on their performances both individually and as a group. The jazz choir performed three numbers for their judges and were also rated individually and as a group.
The choir performed their songs for Dave Cross who is the Director of the Vocal Jazz program at the University of Washington. Trist Curless was their other judge. He is the bass and soloist with the professional vocal jazz group, M-Pact. That group was the featured group at the festival. He also conducted a clinic with the Pinedale Jazz Choir after they performed. The jazz choir received two Excellent (II) ratings from their judges.
The jazz band performed for Dr. Scott Turpin, the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wyoming and Dana Landry who is the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Colorado. The Pinedale Jazz Band received a I rating and a II rating from their judges. Kendall Brunette (alto sax), Max Burns (trombone), and Kenny Walker (bass) all were singled out for Outstanding Solo Awards.
The Pinedale jazz groups did a fine job representing our community and school at this festival. There were over 60 groups attending this festival this year from all over the state. Their ratings ranked right up at the top with many large schools.
These groups will continue participating at various jazz festivals throughout the Rocky Mountain region at Northwest College Jazz Festival in Powell March17-18 and the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival April 20-21 followed by their home Spring Jazz Concert April 25th, before finishing up with the District Festival April 28 at Big Piney
Those participating in the jazz choir were Jackie Key, Amy Keyser, Jeslyn McGinnis, Sadie Nelson, Julianne Goltz, May Huntley, Mariah McKay, Kaden Brook and Ethan Kerr. They were accompanied by Jaclyn Nelson and directed by Gena Anderson.
Jazz Band I performers were Kendall Brunette, May Huntley, Joe Pearce, Conor Raney, Kristin Corwin, Jeff Biffle, Meredith Noble, Joe Steege, Andy Waxe, Kenny Walker, Max Burns, Colter Bennett, Abe Pearce, Ashley Transtrum, Shanna Corwin, Dylan Strike, Trevor Howard, TJ Knutson, Cody Higgins, Nate Stroud, Kathryn Konicek, Morgan Holz and Forrest Michnevich. The jazz band is under the direction of R. Craig Sheppard.
Photo courtesy Craig Sheppard
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