Jazz BandS

About the RRHS Jazz Bands

RRHS has 2 jazz bands that rehearse once or twice per week. The RRHS Jazz Ensemble rehearses each Tuesday and Thursday morning that school is in session. This group performs at regularly scheduled "home concerts" as well as travels as ambassadors of RRHS. The Friday Jazz Band rehearses every Friday morning that school is in session and performs at regularly scheduled home concerts. With two bands - one with a heavier schedule and one with a lighter schedule, more students have been able to find a home in a group that matches their level of experience and/or level of time commitment.

Performance Dates

Wednesday, 12/13 RRHS Band Winter Concert

Sunday, 2/25 RRHS Band Fundraising Dinner

Tuesday, 5/7 Art Show Opening (Tuesday/Thursday ONLY)

Sunday, 5/26 Jazz in the Park at RR Park

More performances TBA

Repertoire Demos

Jazz Ensemble

Hawaiian War Chant

Haitian Fight Song (original Mingus Quintet version)

Curacao Blue

The Cool One

Cantaloupe Island (original Herbie Hancock version)

Spring Ain't Here (original Pat Metheny Group version)

Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (original Jobim/Sinatra version)

Friday Jazz

Havana

Five Spot After Dark (original Curtis Fuller Quintet version)

Ritmo de Vida

2023-24 Audition Info

Monday & Tuesday, September 25th & 26th

3:30-6:00 in the Band Room

(People with after-school activities have first choice on times 3:30-4:00)

Audition Material- Winds

Be prepared to play the excerpts on your audition sheet WITH THE BACKING TRACK. For both excerpts please play the excerpt as written twice through. **OPTIONAL** Then proceed to improvise a solo (using Bb Blues or given scales for both songs) the 3rd time thru (16 bars for Doxy, 12 for Shuffle Time).

Plus….

Major scales (Concert Ab, Eb, Bb, F, C) and the F Blues Scale from memory, 2 octaves where appropriate

Audition Material- Rhythm Section

Piano/Guitar: Be prepared to play the excerpts from your audition sheet as written (the melody) one time. Then, play through a second time comping with the chord progression written. **OPTIONAL** Then proceed to improvise a solo (using Bb Blues or given scales for both songs) the 3rd time thru (16 bars for Doxy, 12 for Shuffle Time).

Bass: Play through the forms one time just playing chord roots in quarter notes, then play through one time using a “more better” bass line if you know how.

Drums: Play once through straight ahead time (small fills as appropriate to the melody), then play a second time with a more soloistic feel.

Plus…