The Return of Central Jazz Fest

Central’s annual jazz festival returned for its 53rd year after not being held since 2019. Combes Gym and Seely Hall were decorated for performances lasting from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on both Friday, April 8th, and Saturday, April 9th. The festival consisted of 14 different groups from around Champaign-Urbana, including a total of five different groups from Central. Central’s top jazz ensemble had the honor of performing with University of Illinois trumpet professor Tito Carrillo both nights.

Audience members, band directors, and student performers alike were excited to have the festival return in person. “I didn’t get to do this the last two years,” said Central band director John Currey at the gig; “…It’s kind of sad because my own personal kids were in those groups.” Junior Norah Kopolow, who was performing at the festival for the first time since she was in 8th grade at Jefferson middle school two years ago, commented that “It was a good experience to hear other schools play…it was nice to see my sister play; she’s in middle school, so it’s good to hear what the middle schoolers are sounding like these days.”

Though the event was able to return fully in person, the various bands still experienced some absences due to COVID-19, as they have been throughout the school year. In jazz ensembles (which are much smaller than concert bands, choirs, and orchestras), the instrumentation is crucial, meaning that one absent performer can derail an entire group. Players like Kopolow and fellow Junior Sarah Mizzen, who are both members of Central’s top jazz ensemble, were asked to step in and sight-read some tunes with Central’s other groups in order to cover missing parts.

“I was basically sight-reading the gig, which was fun for me because it’s a simpler level of music than I’m used to, so it’s just fun to get that sight-reading practice,” said Mizzen. “I had a solo or two, and I just enjoyed myself, because it wasn’t too technical…I could just have fun with the band.” Kopolow also looked at the performance as a learning experience: “It’s important to really look at the rhythms- especially when you’re subbing in for something like lead trumpet, you just kind of have to go with the flow, and I mean, if you mess up, you mess up.”

Another aspect of the gig that made it different from other performances was the presence of professional trumpeter Tito Carrillo, who rehearsed once with Central’s top jazz ensemble earlier in the week before performing with the group both nights. Mizzen emphasized that performing with such a talented player “was so much fun, I love him. I love Latin jazz, and having him play with the band, you could tell that the soloists were pulling out all the stops and doing their best because they got the chance to play with this incredible musician.” Carrillo also gave a free clinic to the general public before Saturday night’s performance, which can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtoyJc3fwvM

All in all, the festival was a huge success, as it brought students and band directors from across the area together to showcase their hard work. Jazz Fest was truly missed over the past couple of years, as Kopolow said, “It was great to have it back in person…it’s really fun to just bring all the people together to appreciate the music.” Currey wrapped up the event by telling the audience that “We’re gonna hope for another great year of jazz next year.” Any students interested in joining the Central jazz program can contact Mr.Currey at curreyjo@u4sd.org at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year for audition information. Performances from Jazz Fest can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/rohanevani