By Mary-Justine Lanyon
That the music department at Rim of the World High School produces exceptional musicians was evident at Jazz Comes Home, the Blue Jay Jazz Foundation fundraiser held at the San Moritz Lodge on Sunday, May 3.
All three bands who entertained the full house have ties to Rim High.
Before the Rim High Jazz Band took the stage, hostess Destiny Love welcomed the large crowd as she sang “Fly Me to the Moon.”
“We are excited to be here to support these musicians,” Love said.
She then introduced Larry Zamora, the Foundation’s vice president. “I’m always amazed at the level of support,” he said. “Our focus is on jazz but we also help all young musicians develop their skills.”
He pointed to the Foundation’s instrument lending library, the scholarships they award to Future Generation Jazz scholars and their jazz festival, held the last weekend in August.
Rim High graduate Ara Tokatlian on sax with his quintet.
With that, Kari Stebbing, Rim High’s music director, dropped her hands to elicit the first note from her young musicians. The maturity heard in their playing and the depth of their sound amazed their audience. There was even some swagger as they coaxed note after note out of their instruments.
At one point, Colin Hobson on trumpet and Brenden Watson on saxophone traded off notes, bringing smiles and even some gentle laughter from the spellbound audience.
Rim High graduate Ara Tokatlian then took the stage with four of his fellow students from Riverside Community College. The Ara Tokatlian Quintet played original compositions, which Tokatlian said they had only worked on for a matter of days.
Those who had heard Tokatlian play at previous Blue Jay Jazz Festivals knew they were in for a treat. His saxophone sings as he plays it. And the quintet’s drummer drew astonished looks from audience members; he was truly the most demonstrative drummer anyone had ever seen.
The headliner was the Groovin’ Greg Solman Band, which includes two Rim High alumni: sax player Steve Ragsdale and drummer Jessica Ragsdale.
As the band played songs many in the audience recognized, each musician had the opportunity to solo.
As the late afternoon drew to a close, Solman surprised everyone by calling four of the Rim High Jazz Band musicians up to join his band: Colin Hobson, trumpet; Brenden Watson, alto sax; Jaden Martinez, baritone sax; and Kaydin Lowery, trombone.
As the students played with the more seasoned musicians, their pleasure in performing was apparent. And then Solman signaled to each to take their solos, something they did with grace and aplomb.
Save the dates – Aug. 27, 28 and 29 – for this year’s Blue Jay Jazz Festival. For more information on the festival and the Foundation, visit bluejayjazz.org.
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