Just days before the Mt. Si High School jazz band competes at the prestigious Essentially Ellington competition, six of the band's top players performed three songs for the KNKX School of Jazz.
The students played a pair of standards and an original song by their alto saxophonist Nate Wray, who will also host the KNKX School of Jazz guest DJ show Thursday night at 7.
Pianist Jonas Medford, bassist Sam Clavero and drummer Ethan Horn make up the rhythm section, Ethan Palermo plays flugelhorn with Haven Beares on trombone. Playing one on trombone and singing on two of the songs was Urielle Lockwood.
The group's mentor Michael Glynn, a popular bassist around town who graduated from Garfield High School before studying at Columbia University and the University of Washington, shared stories from his own jazz education. Also, the bass duet he played with Clavero to introduce Wray's original piece is stunning.
Playing on the stage at Boxley's in North Bend, Wash., the group talked about the benefit of having that jazz club close to home. Each musician notes the importance to their development of both playing there and watching world class professional musicians in person.
The young musicians spoke excitedly about their upcoming trip to New York, but the idea of competing against other young jazz bands isn't their greatest priority.
They are looking forward to a very special experience in the "Jazz Center of the World": meeting friends both new and old, enjoying the character of the city, and playing the music they love together.
Don't underestimate Mt. Si, though. As you can hear, they have award-worthy talent to spare.
