Greenville Jazz Labs I & II

Dirty Dozen Brass Band to perform LIVE at GHS!

2008-04-22T21:27:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for a little New Orleans Jazz!?

In case you haven't heard, the Greenville Big Band Committee and the Greenville Community Center have partnered together to present The Dirty Dozen Brass Band of New Orleans, performing live at the Greenville High School Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m.

If you haven't already reserved your tickets (which I suggest you do!) there's no need to worry, as tickets are still available at $15 per admission. Tickets are just a phone call away, just pick up your phone to reserve a seat for a night full of bebop, funk and traditional New Orleans Jazz music!

Just call (616) 754-9163 to order your tickets NOW!

A little about the Dirty Dozen...!

Over a 27-year career, The Dirty dozen Brass Band have boldly forged the traditions of New Orleans jazz with the modern influences of bebop, funk, R&B, and pop, creating a new standard by which all other New Orleans groups, brass band or otherwise, are measured.

The Dirty Dozen are tireless travelers, maintaining a continuous touring schedule that has taken them to over 65 countries on five continents serving as a bridge between the past and present of New Orleans' rich musical history.

The ensemble was established in 1977 by Benny Jones together with members of the Tornado Brass Band. The Dirty Dozen revolutionized the New Orleans brass band style by incorporating funk and bebop into the traditional New Orleans style, and have been a major influence on the majority of New Orleans brass bands since.

The New Orleans Jazz Funeral is the ultimate celebration of life and death and is as much a part of the New Orleans social history as Jazz Music itself. "Funeral for a Friend" takes the Dozen back to where it all began as they re-create a Jazz Funeral from beginning to end, celebrating the life of a special friend, original member, and New Orleans legend, Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen, who passed on earlier this year. Slow mournful dirges turn into festive celebrations as the music marches from traditional gospel and blues songs taking the listener out from the church steps and onto the city streets, following the brass band parade to the final home of a dear friend before finding the Dozen talking with the prince of peace "Down by the Riverside."

"Junko Partner" - Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Here's a little sample of some of that New Orleans jazz,
played by none other than the Dirty Dozen Brass Band...

Past Concerts Addition!

2007-06-03T23:21:00.000-07:00

If you feel like revisiting a bit of the past, check out the "Past Concerts" link on the right.

Recently added was the 7th Annual Jazz Day Concert from May 2007.

You can watch video of every song performed at the concert!

But I would advise watching the concerts live...check out the "upcoming concerts" section on the right side of the page for the Jazz Labs' next performance.

Cory -

A Work In Progress.

2007-05-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the, dare I say..."official?"...Greenville High School jazz band website.

Anyways, I hope all you alumni out there like this next little treat I am (still) working on for you. If you aren't too old to have forgotten already, in 2005 Jazz Band Director Jeff Ayres put on the 5th annual Jazz Day concert featuring Jazz Labs I and II, along with a good amount of alumni as well. It has sense then been dubbed the "Alumni All Star" concert, and I just happened to get my hands on a tape (courtesy of Mr. Ayres, of course).

For those of you who don't have a tape? - Never fear...in due time, you can visit this site and watch the various videos from the concert as many times over as you please...

CLICK HERE FOR THE ALUMNI CONCERT PAGE!!

(or click on the link in the right hand column)

- Enjoy!!!,

Cory -

7th Annual Jazz Day Concert!

2007-05-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

If you weren't in the audience Tuesday night...where were you?

The Greenville High School Jazz Labs, along with the Greenville Middle School Jazz Band performed on Tuesday May 8th, 2007 at the Greenville High School Performing Arts Center for the 7th annual Jazz Day Concert.

The Middle School Jazz Band opened the show, an ensemble composed of 7th and 8th grade students at Greenville Middle School.

Song List

Blues for BJ.......................................Edmondson

The Carpetbaggers...............................Sorensen

Embraceable You.................................Arr. Phillippe

April in Paris......................................Arr. Sweeney

These students displayed a fiery passion for Jazz, showing their skills over a year's worth of preparation and practice. These young students showed great potential, and it will only be a matter of time before they find themselves amongst their older piers performing in the High School Jazz Labs.

Taking the stage along with the Jazz Labs was special guest artist Dan Jacobs.

Dan Jacobs is internationally acclaimed as a recording artist and has toured the world extensively with such international headliners as Bob James, Bill Watrous, Rob McConnell, Woody Herman, Mel Torme, Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, and the Four Tops. Dan was brought to the concert through a grant from the Youth Advisory Council of Greenville.

Jazz Lab II was next to take the stage.

Song List

Jive at Five.........................................Rowe

God Bless the Child...............................Arr. Nestico

Come Fly with Me.................................Arr. Wolpe

Stardust............................................Arr. Denton

Phat Kat............................................Lopez

********** JAZZ LAB II **********

Dan performed with Jazz Lab II, and was featured on flute and trumpet. Improving on both instruments, Dan played along with Jazz Lab II on several songs.

Special guest Dan Jacobs improvises on flute and trumpet with Jazz Lab I on Back to the Blues at the Greenville High School Performing Arts Center at the 7th Annual Jazz Day Concert.

With several featured soloist, including a fantastic rendition of Come Fly With Me by vocalist Brandon Cory, Jazz Lab II laid it all out on the stage, leaving nothing to spare. With the audience left in nothing but applause, Jazz Lab II put on a fantastic show.

Jazz Lab I was ready and waiting to take the stage...with several musicians already on stage who were in Jazz Lab II as well.

Song List

Back to the Blues....................................Beach

Too Close for Comfort..............................Arr. Wolpe

Yardbird Suite.......................................Arr. Taylor

Here's That Rainy Day..............................Arr. Barduhn

Birdland..............................................Arr. Kerschner

********** JAZZ LAB I **********

Jazz Lab I began with Back to the Blues, featuring several student soloist, as well as Dan Jacobs.

After a jammin' start, Danielle VanTuinen kept the ball rolling with her smooth vocals on Too Close for Comfort.

The Saxaphone section shined in the spotlight in Yardbird Suite, blending together for a sweet sound that kept toes tapping.

Jazz Lab I performs "Yardbird Suite" under the direction of Mr. Jeff Ayres at the 7th Annual Jazz Day Concert at Greenville High School.

Jazz Lab I closed with Birdland, featuring nearly every section in the band.

Jazz Lab I performs "Birdland" under the direction of Mr. Jeff Ayres at the 7th Annual Jazz Day Concert at Greenville High School.

As a finale to the concert both Jazz Lab II and the Middle School Jazz Band joined Jazz Lab I on stage for an encore.

********** ENCORE! **********

Together the three bands played Malaguena. The floor was open to any student who desired to improvise during the song, playing an eight bar solo with the percussion and rhythm section backing up the soloists. Many students from all three bands took advantage of the opportunity and put themselves in the spotlight. Students played solos, duets, and even "traded fours," switching back and forth as if they were battling, but with jazz as their ammunition.

Even Jazz Band Director Jeff Ayres got involved in the action. After Dan Jacobs waved him over, the two improved together on trumpet, creating a duet that had as much technique and range than anyone could ask for!

Who says band directors can't jam? Special guest artist Dan Jacobs and GHS Jazz Band director Jeff Ayres improv together during the finale of the 7th annual Jazz Day Concert at Greenville High School.