STATE COLLEGE — Just say the words “live jazz” and you’ll see heads turn. Live jazz music in performance is hot stuff, and the headliners of a planned Jazz Club Night fundraiser this month in State College can quickly show you why.
The State College Area High School Jazz Band has assembled a night of live jazz at 7 p.m. on March 17 at State College Area High School, where the Center for Equity and Global Leadership in the school’s south building will be transformed into a jazz night club.
The State High Jazz Club Night is a fundraiser for the school’s Jazz Band, and event proceeds will support the musicians’ performances at three jazz festivals in Europe in July.
“Our State High Jazz Club Night event is an amazing opportunity to see, hear and support some of the most dedicated and exciting musicians in our region,” said Paul Leskowicz, director of bands at the high school. “The high-level festivals on our summer schedule will give these hard-working musicians a truly unique performing and cultural experience. And it’s adding a burst of energy for these fine young people, many of whom are blazing trails to rewarding careers in music.”
The State College Area High School Jazz Band is well recognized in the United States with an international reputation for excellence. Featuring Jazz Bands I and II, the jazz program has received over 45 years of “superior” ratings in festivals and competitions. This year’s festival tour will include performances at three prestigious venues in France, including Paris Luxembourg Gardens, Jazz a Vienne, and Jazz a Juan. The bands feature musicians representing ninth through 12th grades.
Leskowicz will coordinate the students’ trip, and he is, well, “jazzed” about it.
“There has been a long tradition of the State High Jazz Band making appearances at International Jazz Festivals since the early 1990s,” said Leskowicz. “That is a level of achievement I wanted to continue to offer our students to strive to accomplish. The atmosphere of performing at these festivals is rather amazing — so many great artists concentrated in one place, in a long line of jazz masters, such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and many more.”
Leskowicz himself grew up playing music, beginning with guitar at age 4 and adding the trombone at age 9. He’s clear about how the festival experience will provide broad and lasting benefits to the Jazz Band students as they play at the three festivals.
“Real life ‘on the road’ touring experiences of performing from town to town,” said Leskowicz. “Learning how to manage in a foreign country with its currency, language, choices of food, and more, but most of all the performances on these internationally famed stages.”
Some may wonder what is so special about playing jazz music. Leskowicz answers with a broad smile.
“Playing jazz means something different to every musician. To me, the opportunity to express your ideas through sound is genuine, raw, and personal. It’s a beautiful expression of a person’s ideas.”
Leskowicz is also clear that this experience will enhance the student musicians’ learning.
“I often remind students that as they develop their music, don’t be surprised if they learn something more about themselves and who they are. As personal as jazz is, developing these skills enhances student learning in these ways, as well as developing a unique set of communication tools with the rhythm section and wind players of the band. It’s special.”
Evan Baxter, one of the students who’ll participate in the festival experience, is enthusiastic about the opportunity.
“This trip was actually the reason that I first got involved in the jazz band in middle school,” said Baxter. “Fueled by my wish to one day play at the level of the musicians who attended State High’s last Europe trip, this is the culmination of years of dreaming and hard work.”
Elliot Matthews, a freshman in the Jazz Band at State High, contemplates a career as a teacher or a musician/producer of music.
“I’m excited to bring our Jazz Band’s talent to another country,” said Matthews, “and this is an opportunity I’ve never had before in my life. It will create long-lasting memories. Even if I end up in a non-music-related career, I’m sure I’m going to keep making music on the side.”
The Jazz Club Night event will feature performances by Jazz Bands I and II and will include St. Patrick–themed beverages and dessert treats made by the high school’s culinary arts students.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in “night-at-a-jazz-club” attire.
Seating will be limited to 160. Tickets for the Jazz Club Night event are $20 and are available at showtix4u.com.
