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2011 Spring Jazz Concert

Westlake High School Jazz Program presents its annual Spring Concert featuring the Westlake High School Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo, with guest artist Ron Wilkins.

DATE: May 13, 2011 (Friday)

TIME: 7:00pm

LOCATION: The Westlake Community Performing Arts Center

FEATURED ARTIST: Ron Wilkins, bass trombonist

Please note that all tickets are general admission seating. Please arrive early for the best available seating.

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2010 Spring Concert

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CHAPS Jazz Winter Concert - January 11th

Thanks to all the CHAPS Jazz supporters who came out for the Winter Concert on January 11 in the Westlake Fine Arts Recital Hall.

JAMFEST 2009 November 14, 3-7pm at The Belmont

Current Jazz Band student and jazz band alums will be playing at the 3rd Annual JAMFEST, "The Kids are Alright Fest", sponsored by Randy Kunik Orthodontics to benefit the Eanes Education Foundation. JAMFEST will take place at The Belmont, November 14, 3-7pm. Don't Miss It!

John Clayton Conducts Workshop with WHS Jazz Ensemble

On Wednesday, October 21, John Clayton (bassist) conducted a jazz workshop with the Westlake Jazz Ensemble during their class period. The workshop provided a wonderful opportunity for the students to hear from two professional jazz musicians.

John Clayton served as the Artistic Director of Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1999 through 2001. In addition, he is Artistic Director for the Centrum Jazz Workshop in Port Townsend, Washington and was also appointed Artistic Director for the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival in 2006. You can find out more about John Clayton on his website.

One of John's messages to the Jazz Ensemble was the importance of listening to music. He stressed listening to recordings as a primary source for learning music...prior to delving into the sheet music or the Real Book! Hear him play with Graham Dechter, a young guitarist in the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

Many thanks to Mr. John Parsons, director of the Westlake Jazz Program, for arranging time for Mr. Clayton's workshop at Westlake. A slideshow of John Clayton's visit with the students can be found below:

WHS Jazz Band Students Take Honors in Region Jazz Competition

Jazz band students from Westlake auditioned for the Texas Music Educators (TMEA) All-Region Jazz Ensembles on October 3. Eleven Westlake High School students earned a spot in one of the two Region jazz ensembles:

Josh Moody-Ford, Alto Saxophone (Jazz 1)

Marshall Lowry, Tenor Saxophone (Jazz 2)

Bob Price, Bari Saxophone (Jazz 2)

Brandon Bergeron, Trumpet (Jazz 1)

Spencer King, Trumpet (Jazz 2)

David Wright, Trumpet (Jazz 2)

Weston Floyd, Tenor Trombone (Jazz 2)

Jeffrey Hatcher, Bass Trombone (Jazz 2)

Jeff Olson, Drums (Jazz 1)

John Turman, Jazz Guitar (Jazz 2)

Steven Campbell, Piano (Jazz 1)

This competition began the All-State audition process for students across the state in 28 regions. Top musicians from each region will progress to higher-level auditions, with the highest honor being selection as a Texas All-State musician. Students achieving a seat in Jazz 1 will advance to Area jazz auditions. Congratulations to these students for their achievement!

(submitted by Amy Price)