With on the spot improvisation and its swing style, jazz is a unique genre of music. Since Loy Norrix has its very own jazz band, any student who can play an instrument can join and express their creativity.
According to The birthplace of jazz by Suemedha Sood the genre of jazz started somewhere in the 1890s in New Orleans and one of the first musicians to perform jazz was an African-American man known as Buddy Bolden. Some other well known jazz musicians that contributed to the popularity of jazz are Louis Armstron, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, and many more. Jazz has grown and expanded to influence many musicians to create their own jazz songs and bands, like the one at our school.
However, compared to previous years, the group size has dwindled due to student musicians lacking interest in the jazz band. To make up for this lack of members, director Denis Shebukhov and members are eagerly trying to get new musicians to join.
Currently, the band lacks some staple jazz instruments, like trumpet and trombone. However, this doesn’t stop the band from thriving. The skills and experience that students gain from challenging themselves to learn and play a new style of music is extremely valuable.
“You learn so much. You get stronger as a musician, and you appreciate music from a different perspective,” said Shebukhov.
Although the jazz band members learn many of their pieces from sheet music, which details exactly what notes should be played when, they’re also expected to improvise. During improvisation, musicians create music on the spot, without planning or practicing. However, musicians still need to play at the same speed and use the same notes they were playing before, which adds an additional challenge. According to a study by John Hopkins University “when jazz musicians improvise, their brains turn off areas linked to self-censoring and inhibition, and turn on those that let self-expression flow.”
“I always kind of have an idea of what I wanna play in my head, but you know, the same can’t be said for everyone,” said junior cello player Darby Patterson.
The group has been working incredibly hard every week to make the band the best it can be. This year, the band is playing a lot of new pieces that peak the musicians’ interest, like “Steam Punk Funk” or “Bohemian Groove” by Ryan Fraley.
“There are a couple songs that we are looking to learn that should be pretty fun and kind of funky,” said sophomore Michael Austin who plays upright and electric bass in the band.
Still, there are some kinks that need to be worked out. The band experiences constant change in membership every year since new people join, previous members quit, and seniors graduate. This also means that not only are the people in the band changing all the time, the instruments also change.
“People are always quitting and joining, but I’m able to find music that works best for which instruments there are,” Shebukhov said.
However, because of their busy schedules, band members find it hard to find a time and place to practice.
“We definitely struggle with practicing. People just aren’t doing it enough outside of rehearsal,” Austin said when discussing some obstacles the band runs into.
The band rehearses as a group every Tuesday from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the band room so they are strongly encouraged by Shebukhov to practice outside of rehearsals.
“The only way you’re gonna make a big step up is to do things at home,” Shebukhov said. “These guys are great musicians, but they have a lot going on.”
With the little time the band spends together, they often have to rehearse a lot of different songs in one rehearsal, which can be stressful for the director. Shebukhov is always pushing the band to be the best it can be.
“This is jazz band – you’re the best cats in town – we have to be the best,” said Shebukhov.
The jazz band doesn’t let obstacles bring them down. They work extremely hard to ensure the success of the band, while making sure they’re still having a good time.
The jazz band is performing at the Winter Concert on Wednesday the 18th at 7 p.m. along with the choir, band and orchestra.
“I love the teacher, I love the people in it,” Austin said. “It’s a really fun experience. I just love to play with them.”
