An evening of Jazz...

If you weren't in the audience Tuesday night...where were you?


The Greenville High School Jazz Labs, along with the Greenville Middle School Jazz Band performed on Tuesday May 8th, 2007 at the Greenville High School Performing Arts Center for the 7th annual Jazz Day Concert.

The Middle School Jazz Band opened the show, an ensemble composed of 7th and 8th grade students at Greenville Middle School.

Song List

Blues for BJ.......................................Edmondson

The Carpetbaggers...............................Sorensen

Embraceable You.................................Arr. Phillippe

April in Paris......................................Arr. Sweeney

These students displayed a fiery passion for Jazz, showing their skills over a year's worth of preparation and practice. These young students showed great potential, and it will only be a matter of time before they find themselves amongst their older piers performing in the High School Jazz Labs.

Taking the stage along with the Jazz Labs was special guest artist Dan Jacobs.

Dan Jacobs is internationally acclaimed as a recording artist and has toured the world extensively with such international headliners as Bob James, Bill Watrous, Rob McConnell, Woody Herman, Mel Torme, Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, and the Four Tops. Dan was brought to the concert through a grant from the Youth Advisory Council of Greenville.

Jazz Lab II was next to take the stage.

Song List

Jive at Five.........................................Rowe

God Bless the Child...............................Arr. Nestico

Come Fly with Me.................................Arr. Wolpe

Stardust............................................Arr. Denton

Phat Kat............................................Lopez

********** JAZZ LAB II **********

********** JAZZ LAB II **********

Dan performed with Jazz Lab II, and was featured on flute and trumpet. Improving on both instruments, Dan played along with Jazz Lab II on several songs.

Special guest Dan Jacobs improvises on flute and trumpet with Jazz Lab I on Back to the Blues at the Greenville High School Performing Arts Center at the 7th Annual Jazz Day Concert.



With several featured soloist, including a fantastic rendition of Come Fly With Me by vocalist Brandon Cory, Jazz Lab II laid it all out on the stage, leaving nothing to spare. With the audience left in nothing but applause, Jazz Lab II put on a fantastic show.

Jazz Lab I was ready and waiting to take the stage...with several musicians already on stage who were in Jazz Lab II as well.

Song List

Back to the Blues....................................Beach

Too Close for Comfort..............................Arr. Wolpe

Yardbird Suite.......................................Arr. Taylor

Here's That Rainy Day..............................Arr. Barduhn

Birdland..............................................Arr. Kerschner

********** JAZZ LAB I **********

********** JAZZ LAB I **********

Jazz Lab I began with Back to the Blues, featuring several student soloist, as well as Dan Jacobs.

After a jammin' start, Danielle VanTuinen kept the ball rolling with her smooth vocals on Too Close for Comfort.

The Saxaphone section shined in the spotlight in Yardbird Suite, blending together for a sweet sound that kept toes tapping.

Jazz Lab I performs "Yardbird Suite" under the direction of Mr. Jeff Ayres at the 7th Annual Jazz Day Concert at Greenville High School.


Jazz Lab I closed with Birdland, featuring nearly every section in the band.

Jazz Lab I performs "Birdland" under the direction of Mr. Jeff Ayres at the 7th Annual Jazz Day Concert at Greenville High School.

As a finale to the concert both Jazz Lab II and the Middle School Jazz Band joined Jazz Lab I on stage for an encore.

********** ENCORE! **********

********** ENCORE! **********

Together the three bands played Malaguena. The floor was open to any student who desired to improvise during the song, playing an eight bar solo with the percussion and rhythm section backing up the soloists. Many students from all three bands took advantage of the opportunity and put themselves in the spotlight. Students played solos, duets, and even "traded fours," switching back and forth as if they were battling, but with jazz as their ammunition.

Even Jazz Band Director Jeff Ayres got involved in the action. After Dan Jacobs waved him over, the two improved together on trumpet, creating a duet that had as much technique and range than anyone could ask for!

Who says band directors can't jam? Special guest artist Dan Jacobs and GHS Jazz Band director Jeff Ayres improv together during the finale of the 7th annual Jazz Day Concert at Greenville High School.