All That’s Jazz

Student musicians learn secrets from local pros

On Sunday, International Jazz Day, a group of high school musicians will give their first performance at the Walton Arts Center as the NWA Jazz All-Stars Youth Ensemble. They have been rehearsing for months with professional musicians from the Fayetteville Jazz Collective under the direction of Rick Salonen with the University of Arkansas music department, and now they’re ready for the limelight.

“This is my first introduction to big band jazz,” says saxophonist Andrew Sweet of Arkansas Arts Academy. “There’s a lot more pressure, you could say, to do well, but everyone here is like a family. We’re surrounded by people at the same level. Everyone auditioned for it; everyone’s seeking it out.”

As a saxophone player in classical music, Sweet’s instrument isn’t often featured. Joining a jazz ensemble, though, has given him more opportunities for solos in the upbeat music.

“With jazz, you can listen to the same song twice, but it probably won’t be the same because the soloist is different, and they’re [improvising] something different,” adds Susy Montoya of Springdale High School. “I think that’s really cool! I just like it; it has a nice feel to it.”

One-on-one instruction from professional local musicians is one of the biggest perks of participating in the ensemble. The students learn skills, like improvisation, they may not have experienced before, as well as have opportunities like performing in special venues and even creating a professional recording.

“It’s really fulfilling because I remember myself at that age. I grew up in an area where there were no outlets for jazz music, so to be able to work with them, and get to see them connect with the music is really satisfying,” shares Salonen. “High school students are great because they’re really energetic. They really want to be there and they’re searching and they’re hungry. It’s great giving the experience of growing and developing, and to see kind of the light bulbs come on.”

NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE/J.T. WAMPLER The Jazz All-Stars Youth Ensemble will continue bringing student musicians extraordinary opportunities to learn and grow in the genre each semester of the regular school year.