The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Jazz II band will stop in Shawano on Monday as part of its annual tour.
The Eau Claire students will conduct classes with Shawano Community High School jazz students in the afternoon and then perform in concert in the evening.
“This is a great opportunity for all our jazz students to not only learn from some of the best college jazz musicians in the Midwest but also be able to learn about some of the musical opportunities available to them in college,” said Christopher Kent, SCHS jazz band director.
Senior trumpet player Julia Beck said, “I’ve competed with my band at the Eau Claire Jazz Festival for three years, and last year we won for the first time ever. To get to play on the same stage with these college musicians is exciting.”
In the concert, the Shawano students will perform some of the numbers that they featured at the recent Dinner Dance shows.
“I really enjoy playing in front of people, and I think we do it well. I am looking forward to performing again, however, this time we will be with the UW-EC jazz band,” sophomore guitarist Brandon Zoll said.
The Eau Claire jazz program has received Down Beat Magazine “Best College Big Band” six times. Two of its Jazz Ensemble I’s recordings have been nominated for Grammy Awards for “Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.”
“This is one of the best collegiate jazz programs in the nation, and one of their bands is coming to our community,” Kent said.
The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. in the SCHS auditorium, and all seating is general admission. There is no charge for the concert, however, there will be a free-will offering opportunity at the door (a $10 donation is encouraged) with all proceeds going to the Shawano Jazz Foundation.
Both of Shawano’s jazz bands will perform before UW-EC’s Jazz II takes the stage.
The Shawano Jazz Foundation hosts the annual Shawano Jazz Festival in March, which brings in world class jazz musicians and provides educational opportunities for middle school and high school students from throughout the state. The foundation has also provided over 35 Shawano students with scholarships to attend summer music camps.
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