The Stamford Jazz Ensemble returned yesterday from the 40th Annual Berklee High School Jazz Festival. It was a busy weekend, full of great music and talented young people. With bands and show choirs coming from as far as Florida and Colorado, there were many phenomenal young musicians playing, and seeing truly advanced ensembles was motivational and inspiring for everyone. (See Photos!)

The band performed two charts: a Latin arrangement of "Greensleeves" featuring soloists John Mahoney and Matt Van Houten, and "Salt Peanuts," featuring Xavier Rosario, Hannah Hoffman and Michael Galgano. The Berklee faculty adjudicating the performance were pleased with the band's sound, and gave them helpful advice to improve dynamics, intonation and quality of sound. The Judge's Choice Award was given to Hannah Hoffman (piano), for her outstanding solo and contribution to the ensemble. 

Before the Stamford performance, several students attended an open jam session with other high school jazz players from around the country. Michael Galgano was first to step up to the plate, with a blues solo on "Tenor Madness," and later Matt Van Houten and Xavier Rosario got onstage to solo over "Chameleon." The students got to see performances by the Berklee Salsa Band and the Berklee Jazz Orchestra, including an amazing funk arrangement of "Night in Tunisia," and a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie. The Winners Showcase Concert was comprised of vocal and instrumental groups which placed in the top three spots in their classes, and included ensembles from New Jersey, Florida and all over New England. The last band to performed played "Salt Peanuts" as well, and received The Wave from the Stamford saxophone section.

Almost as exciting as the jazz music to play and hear was the opportunity to explore the city of Boston. After being snowed in at the Hilton Saturday night, the students got to explore Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market in Boston's Inner Harbor on Sunday morning before departing for Stamford. Berklee's Jazz Festival was a tiring day, but an inspiring one. Students, staff and teachers alike were motivated by the beautiful sounds coming from different ensembles, and everyone left the festival eager to improve their own talents and expand their knowledge. We look forward to returning next year with the Stamford Jazz Ensemble as a competitive group, and perhaps bringing a combo or two as well.

This trip could not have been possible without the following people: Charlotte Bishop, Evelyn Simpson and Georgios Giannios for chaperoning, Joyce DiCamillo, Bill Losier, Josh Sette and George Beratis for rehearsing with the band, Steven Lipman at the Berklee Music Education Department for getting the band off the wait list, The SHS Band Parents Association for making the financial part of the trip a lot easier, and the Berklee faculty and staff for their helpful comments and flawless execution of a great festival.