Several of Western Washington’s finest high school jazz programs and jazz professionals are showcased on KPLU School of Jazz-Volume 9, the station’s latest CD release which is the culmination of this year’s mentoring project.
In 2005, as part of its continuing support of music education in the schools, KPLU developed a mentoring program involving bands from 10 high schools and one middle school, and the participation of 11 local jazz professionals. The fruits of this partnership yielded the first KPLU School of Jazz CD release. Beginning with Volume 2 (2006), the project has included only students from high school jazz programs.
Each year, a number of bands from the inaugural group are featured, along with a handful of high school jazz programs that are new to the project. Since its inception, KPLU School of Jazz has raised over $70,000 for Western Washington school music programs.
Participating high school jazz programs on KPLU School of Jazz–Volume 9: Ballard High School (Seattle), Graham-Kapowsin High School (Graham), Jackson High School (Mill Creek), Lakewood High School Jazz Choir (Arlington) Lynnwood High School (Bothell), Mercer Island High School (Mercer Island), Mountlake Terrace High School (Mountlake Terrace), Newport High School (Bellevue), Roosevelt High School (Seattle), South Whidbey High School (Whidbey Island), W.F. West High School (Chehalis) and the advanced ensemble from Seattle JazzED under the direction of Clarence Acox.
Guests artists included on KPLU School of Jazz–Volume 9: Travis Ranney, Thomas Marriott, Tracy Knoop, Dan Wager, Greta Matassa, Neil Welch, Steve Treseler, Jay Thomas, Andy Omdahl, Brad Boal and Jon Hamar.
KPLU School of Jazz–Volume 9 includes songs by Thomas Marriott, Roy Hargrove, Gordon Goodwin, Jim Knapp, Cole Porter, Louie Bellson and Jon Hamar.
KPLU School of Jazz – Volume 9is available for purchaseat KPLU’s website, http://schoolofjazz.org/. Thanks to BECU, Chaplins Bellevue Subaru, Beacon Plumbing and Titan Outdoor for their support.
