Jazz Combo Enters Generation Festival
A hexagon, chartreuse colored room on the third floor of the A–building houses two dozen or so musicians tuning their instruments. The Jazz Ensemble practice initially consists of a lot of noise. However, after warm up, the conductor, Scott Dailey, raises his hand and music flows out, filling the room. It’s no wonder that this small sanctuary of sound has nurtured such talented, nationally recognized musicians.
In fact, last year, the top combo participated in Generation Festival and won an invitation to play in the annual Monterey Jazz Festival. This year, the top combo at Berkeley High has yet again made it into that same festival, competing against groups from twenty states and two foreign countries, Britain and Germany. With thirty percent more applicants than last year and the odds against them, the combo made it into one of only six spots. There are six musicians in the combo: Jonah Levine, senior, operates trombone; Elena Pinderhughes, freshman, executes the flute; James Gillum, senior, on the trumpet; James Small, senior, beats the drums; Nick Lamb, sophomore, orchestrates the piano; and Erik Shiboski, junior, plays the bass. Pinderhughes was in the top combo last year as an eighth grader, along with her older brother. Hopefully, with these amazing musicians, the case will be the same as last year and they will return champions. The top three high school big bands, top high school combo, top conglomerate big band, and top college–level big band will be invited to perform at the 53rd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival.
The group unanimously expressed that it felt “dope” to be a part of the combo headed for the next Generation Festival. They’ve all been in combo for two years except Lamb. Levine commented that, “We’re all different. Everyone has their own kind of niche and music brought us together, it brings us happiness.”
The process to compete in the Generation Festival began with a recording at Fantasy Studios, located in San Francisco, who has recorded big names in the music business such as Santana, Camper van Beethoven and Dolphin City. Lamb even used the same piano as Bill Evans.
The prize this year is, again, to play at the National Monterey Festival. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Shiboski. The group is hoping to nab another win this year. They also hope to play an original song composed by Shiboski and Levine called “Fifty–Fifty,” and arrangements of jazz standards. Their music can be heard online on either the Jazz website, www.berkeleyhighjazz.org, on their Facebook pages, or better yet, by going to a concert. They’ll be playing at the eight o’clock show at Yoshi’s Jazz club in Oakland on Monday, March 22. Tickets will be sold starting at 15 dollars by members of the Ensemble.
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