City High jazz bands earn top marks in festival, will perform locally on Feb. 11

IOWA CITY -- Two City High jazz bands earned high marks at the recent Iowa High School Music Association State Jazz Festival, and will perform their ensembles publicly on Feb. 11.

Jazz Ensemble, City High's premier jazz band, earned a Division I Superior rating at the Jan. 28 event. The band performed Switch in Time by Sammy Nestico, The Star-Crossed Lovers by Duke Ellington, and Honey Boy by Bob Washut. Jazz Band I earned a Division II Excellent rating with its trio of The Cha Cha What Gotcha by Michael Philip Mossman, Low Blow by Jay Chattaway, and Second Line by Victor Goines In addition to the performances, the competition included a sight-reading which is when musicians perform music they have not seen before.

The community is invited to City High's Jazz Showcase on Feb. 11, with shows at 5:30 and 8 pm. In addition to City High's jazz bands, the South East Junior High 7th grade jazz band will perform at the 5:30 show, and the 8th grade jazz band will perform at the 8 pm show. The nightclub style concerts will also feature special guest performer Robert Baca, the professor of trumpet and director of jazz studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Soft drinks and snacks will be served. Tickets are $5 at the door; "sponsor" tables may be reserved for $50. Information: 688-1001, ext. 4240.

A video of Jazz Ensemble's Jan. 28 performance can be viewed at:

http://thelittlehawk.com/jazz-ensemble-ihsma-state-jazz-contest-performance/