Upper Merion’s jazz band, an audition-based group that combines trumpets, trombones, saxophones, and rhythm, is hosting their annual Gold N’ Blues Jazz Festival this Friday, February 20th. After all the other groups perform, UM’s band will conclude the night with a setlist consisting of “The Chicken,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” and “Fake News.” These dedicated musicians will surely rock the auditorium Friday night, but first, a bit of background on the songs as well as the perspective of students in the band on their challenges in the season so far.
“The Chicken” by Alfred James Ellis, arranged by Kris Berg, is a powerhouse song that features a strong baseline as well as complex 16th note rhythms. The group has been working on this piece ever since auditions in November. Trumpet player and second year member Ann Picariello commented on its difficulty, saying that “working on our timing and the quickness of the rhythms piece by piece” has been helping the song as a whole come together. The soaring high notes and intense drums in the punchy opening combined with the smooth transition into a swing groove is guaranteed to warrant so me feet-tapping and head-nodding. Upper Merion’s rendition features solos from Tony Ledbetter on tenor saxophone and Cole Burkhardt on guitar. Darius Miller also has notable drum features, adding to the intensity and funk of the piece.
Mike Tomaro’s arrangement of “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder is a jazz classic that combines pop elements with swing. It functions as a sort of ballad in Upper Merion’s setlist with its strategic placement between the two big hit charts. The soulful, groovy beat in the original recording accompanied with a bright harmonica solo is meant to provoke joy in the listener. 8th note triplets are incorporated into each run to add depth while also maintaining a steady, catchy beat. Daisy Huller, first year member and rookie trombone player, recognizes that even the simple rhythms can be challenging at times: “Between moving the slide quickly for runs and accenting odd notes, it requires commitment to being more than simply familiar with the music.” While the band doesn’t have a harmonica player on hand, the tune still has notable solos from Maya D’Alleva on trumpet and Cole Burkhardt on guitar.
“Fake News” by Elliot Deutsch is a punchy big band arrangement in cut time, meaning each measure has 2 beats instead of 4. This gives the piece a broad swing feel, making the high note hits and dynamic changes seem even more powerful. The groove is more contemporary, yet it still holds true to a funk similar to “The Chicken,” allowing each section to shine with featured parts throughout. Saxophonist and first year member Lexi DeMartino says that she was able to improve her performance on this song by “taking things slower and then speeding up as I got the notes and patterns in my hands” and being an active part of the positive environment during sectionals. Lucas Albini, lead trumpet, has a solo right in the middle of the tune. Darius Miller on drums has a smaller solo section right at the end before the last big hit.
Overall, the talent in the band makes this catchy setlist a perfect way to end the long night. Each member understands that no part is too small and a little practice goes a long way. Stop by Friday at 5:00PM to enjoy music from high school jazz bands near us, and certainly don’t miss the chance to support your friends playing in Upper Merion’s exhibition around 9:25 (student admission is $5, adult is $10). These talented young musicians have put in immense effort the last few months to make these challenging songs ready for competition season. It’s going to be a great night for jazz stans and music fans alike!
