By ALAN HOSKINS
The highest rating at the 2013 Pittsburg State Jazz Festival wasn’t high enough for Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Jazz Band.
“Three of our scores were 1 plus even though a 1 is the highest that can be awarded,” said Director Jim Mair.
It was the 14th consecutive year Mair’s bands have received 1 ratings at Pittsburg State and was followed up a week later with a 1 rating at the University of Kansas Jazz Festival.
In addition, eight musicians received a total of 14 outstanding musicianship awards and the band received a citation for “Outstanding Musicianship” and a bevy of accolades from adjudicators.
“Thank you KCKCC. You guys have a super thing happening,” wrote one adjudicator. “We’re not supposed to give about a 1 but 1 plus,” said another. Other comments included “It’s so nice to hear real jazz at a jazz festival.” “Excellent group. A cut above.” “Tasty.” “Love Your approach.” “Great choice of programming and great prep.”
Two Leavenworth High School graduates, bassist Jon Tennant and drummer Ismael Garcia, each received three outstanding musicianship awards as did guitarist Greg Halla from Brazil.
Outstanding musicianship awards also went to trombonist Michael Hornick of Lansing, pianist Karriem Sayles of Wyandotte, baritone saxophonist Glenn Broadhead and alto saxophonist Ellory Mohr and flute/piccolo player P.J. Churn, both of Shawnee Mission West.
Other members of the band included:
SAXOPHONES – Harland Cooper, Leavenworth; Jon Kemmerer, Blue Valley; and Keagan Jacobs, SM East.
TRUMPETS - Kenan Meadows, F.L. Schlagle; Jon Tobaben, SM South; and Bandon Parsons, Cameron Christ and Colin Ford, all of SM North.
TROMBONES – Trevor McDonald, Olathe South; and Geovandie Hough, SM West. RHYTHM – Dylan Sack, piano, Tonganoxie.
Next up for the Jazz Band and two jazz combos is a performance in the “Spirituality and All That Jazz” series at Unity on the Plaza Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m.
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PHOTO: Earning 1 ratings at both the Pittsburg State and KU Jazz Festivals, the Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Band included (clockwise from left) pianist Dylan Sack, Greg Halla, JonTennant, Colin Ford, Kenan Meadows, Brandon Parsons, Jon Tobaben, Keagan Jacobs, Harland Cooper, Jon Kemmerer, Elory Mohr, Mike Hornick, P.J. Churn and Director Jim Mair. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)
