Phat jazz sounds
31 May 2017
The Cavell Leitch New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival brings some of the world’s best jazz and blues artists to Christchurch, as well as giving home-grown musicians opportunities to perform. The High School Jazz Band Concert, held in the Assembly Hall on Saturday 27 May, showcased the talent of seven school bands, entertaining an enthusiastic audience with some impressive tunes.
Director of Big Band Claire Oliver says the boys really rose to the occasion, with everything coming together for the performance. The College Big Band performed five pieces: “Phat and Sassy” and “Blue Sesame” were pure instrumental; “September” and Billy Joel’s classic “Just the Way You Are” featured Year 12 student William Pegg on vocals; and Head of Big Band Jamie Hutton performed the tenor saxophone solo for “Midnight Voyage”.
“They did really well,” says Claire. “The festival features some pretty high calibre musicians and it’s exciting for the boys to be part of such a professional event.”
Along with College, the other participating schools were Burnside High School, Cashmere High School, Christchurch Boys’ High School, Papanui High School, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School and St Andrew’s College.
