SAMOHI IN RENO JAZZ FESTIVAL April 2012

On Saturday, 4/28/12, Samohi's Jazz Band 1, 2 and Jazz Combo competed at the Reno Jazz Festival, the largest jazz festival on the west coast and the second largest in the country. With nearly 300 bands attending, the Samohi jazz groups performed brilliantly.

Jazz Band 2, under the direction of Ms. Jessica Swift, performed in the "Apprentice Division" and placed 10th out of 22 bands in their division. For most of the students, this was their very first jazz festival, and it is one of the biggest. Two solo awards were presented to Andres Orellana, a freshman (tenor saxophone) and Ben Rosenberg, a junior (piano) for their solo performances.

Jazz Band 1, under the direction of Tom Whaley, was one of six bands in the highest division (AAAA) to earn a unanimous Superior rating. Out of 22 bands in the AAAA Division, Samohi Jazz Band 1 placed 6th. Eli Brown, a junior (trumpet), Spencer Danielson, a senior (alto saxophone), and Kyle McCreight, a sophomore (trombone), received Outstanding soloist awards for their performance.

The Samohi Jazz Combo also earned unanimous Superior ratings and placed 6th out of 22 combos in the highest division. Eli and Kyle received outstanding soloist awards in the combo division. Eli Brown was also presented the most outstanding trumpet soloist of the entire festival.

Samohi's jazz program is a dual enrollment program with Santa Monica College and only meets twice a week after school. Virtually every band at the Reno Jazz Festival meets 5 days a week as a regular class.

The fact that Samohi's program performed so well is a testament to the fantastic music education they have received starting from their elementary music years and all the way up to the high school. A special thanks to all the fine music teachers in the district and those that support the Samohi Jazz program. The bus driver and hotel manager said that the Samohi jazz band was the best student group they have ever had! Congratulations to the students!

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