JAZZ BAND ROCKS
Group succeeds in busy month
By Robby Valderrama
During the past few weeks,
the Valley Christian Jazz Band has performed and competed at multiple
venues. The first occurred on Saturday, April 16.
Located in San Jose, the Smith Dobson Jazz Festival attracted
numerous local bands as well as several groups from places as
far away as Folsom. Held at San Jose State University, this event
categorized bands into two categories, small schools, and big
schools, depending on school population. Because Valley had just
over a thousand students, they fell under the “small schools”
division. Taking the stage around 9am, the band was judged by
musicians who had played with greats including Earth, Wind &
Fire, Pete Escevedo, and Santana.
After an energetic, inspiring performance, the band discovered
they had earned first place in the “small schools”
division. More impressively, the band placed third overall, trailing
only powerhouse Folsom High and losing narrowly to Cupertino’s
Homestead High School.
Winning numerous individual and group awards, the band was given
the “Best Rhythm Section” award. Valley’s rhythm
section consisted of pianist Yuma Sung, drummer Michael Davis,
bassist Thomas Burns, guitarist Robby Valderrama, and percussionist
Steven Busey. And as is the custom at any jazz festival, Sung
and Davis were also honored with individual soloist awards. Due
to his stellar solos, Sung was named “the best high school
soloist” in the entire festival. For an amazing original
composition, Burns, along with tenor saxophonist Ian Perry, were
given awards as well. Finally, as a sign of tremendous talent
and potential, sophomore Camille Ramirez was given a free scholarship
to the “Jazz Goes to College” summer camp.
The following Tuesday, the band was given another opportunity
to shine. In Valley’s winter jazz concert, the Jr. High
and High School groups shared the stage. After a stunning performance
from the Jr. High, the High School band grabbed the spotlight.
After a surprising introduction featuring Valderrama on acoustic
guitar and Sung on a recorder (yes, a recorder), the band played
tunes including “Jambalaya” and “Sweet Dreams.”
Closing the night, Principal Dr. Joel Torode wrapped up with a
prayer, thanking God for the blessing of music. Serving as a final
leg to their string of intense concerts, the last event was possibly
the most rewarding.
On April 22-24, the Valley Christian Jazz Band, under the able
guidance of Mr. Dave Gregoric, competed at the Reno Jazz Festival.
Moving from the ‘E’ division to the ‘D’
division, the group knew competition would be fierce. After a
long drive on Highway 80, the band finally arrived.
Despite staying at a hotel with a dysfunctional hot tub, the band
somehow kept their composure. “The hot tub was indeed disappointing,
because it had no water,” said senior pianist Sarah Suksiri.
All joking aside, the band mentally readied for the competition.
Featuring Sung on piano, the first tune was a jazz standard entitled
“Stella by Starlight.” Moving on, the band played
“Pacific Rhythm,” which included flautist Julianne
Kelly and clarinet player Erin Tao. In a finale entitled “Well
You Needn’t,” the band impressed judges with switches
between swing and Latin grooves. Both the crowd and judges were
blown away.
Judge Darren Kramer said, “As an adjudicator, we give out
threes and twos. But the reason we save ones is for bands like
this.” Also, the trombone section, led by freshman Ryan
Bettencourt, was the best Kramer had heard all day. When all was
said and done, the band received an impressive second place, trailing
only Washington’s Mead High School. As Suksiri said, “A
close second is great too. It gives bands something to work for
next year.” With Sung, Davis, Ramirez, and others returning,
rest assured the Valley Christian Jazz Band will do just that.
