ELLISVILLE – The 25 member Jones College Jazz Band will be making college history when they perform as part of the New Orleans annual Jazz and Heritage Festival in April. Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge confirmed this is the first time the JC Jazz Band has been invited to be a part of the 53rd annual Jazz Festival with their Saturday, April 29, performance in the Heritage Museum Courtyard.
“The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is an annual celebration of music and culture. Huge names in the music world along with regional musicians perform at the Fair Grounds and in and around the city,” said Burge. “I am very excited to bring our jazz students to the Big Easy. I know they will have a wonderful time, give an outstanding performance, and enjoy being a part of such a wonderful cultural and musical experience!”
In 2019, Burge invited New Orleans and world-famous clarinetist, Doreen Kitchens to perform with the Jazz Band which opened the doors to landing a performance in the French Quarter at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Museum.
“Initially, we were just looking for an opportunity to perform. Once we found an available performance date, it landed right in the middle of the largest Jazz Festival and the perfect opportunity for our students to learn a lot on many levels.”
For music major, Jessica Manning of Quitman, this is a huge opportunity and a dream come true. The freshman saxophone player has enjoyed the atmosphere of the New Orleans jazz culture previously but being able to play there is a big honor.
“I saw a bunch of jazz musicians playing in New Orleans and I thought then that I would want to do that and now I finally am!” said Manning. “A lot of people think Junior Colleges don’t get good opportunities but here at Jones College, we get to do a lot of things people have not been able to enjoy.”
Growing up on jazz music, trombonist, Leo Norman of Ellisville is looking forward to being a part of the biggest jazz celebration in the world. Nerves won’t be a big problem for Norman after being a part of the South Jones High School World Championship Winter Guard International group.
“Performing in Dayton, Ohio in 2019, and winning the World Championships was incredible in high school but this will be really cool too, because I’ll be playing jazz music as a member of the first JC Jazz Band to be invited to perform there,” said Norman.
However, Kaitlyn Beasley of Buckatunna, who has played clarinet for seven years, is a little nervous about playing the tenor saxophone in New Orleans with only three months experience.
“I’ve always been intrigued by the jazz band but playing in front of people on saxophone with a little experience is nerve-wracking for me. I’m still really excited about going to New Orleans because I’ve never been there and this will give me a different view on how people do things, which is important as a music major,” Beasley shared.
Sophomore keyboard player, Hanna Grace Wood of Sandersville noted that music majors have to be knowledgeable in all genres of music and play numerous instruments. Participating in this type of venue is a life-changing experience.
“I was in jazz band all through high school and I knew I wanted to be in jazz band at Jones College. There is nothing like it, and it’s nothing I’ve done before. It’s absolutely amazing! I love the experience and the time I’ve had here at Jones which will be capped off with a performance in the Jazz Capital of New Orleans,” said Wood.
The JC Jazz Band will be performing six tunes which include, “Grazing in the Grass,” “Cry Me a River,” “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Fremont Trolling” and “Get After It” for their 2 p.m. performance which is free and open to the public. For more information contact JC Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge by email at ben.burge@admin
JC Jazz Band
Alto Sax
Jessica Manning, Quitman
Stacy Villaseca, Laurel
T’Kevia Watson, Laurel
Sidney Tisdale, Ellisville
Tenor Sax
Tony Ducksworth, Taylorsville
Dawson Temple, Mize
Kaitlyn Beasley, Buckatunna
Trombone
Andres Avalos, Laurel
Jennifer Hernandez, Laurel
Leo Norman, Ellisville
Caleb Nichols, Laurel
Trumpet
Reagan Thornton, Laurel
Trinity Williams, Hattiesburg
Cambrie McCree, Ellisville
Ethan Noffke, Seminary
Luis Hernandez, Laurel
Rhythm
Logan Whitehead, Hattiesburg
Conner Smith, Mize
Shawn Beasley, Buckatunna
Kambri Pippin, Laurel
Logan Walker, Waynesboro
JJ Wimbley, Franklin, Alabama
Hanna Wood, Sandersville
Shana Davis, McComb
Cody Holiday, Florence
Adiran Roberts, Quitman
Photo Cutline – Jones College’s Jazz Band will be performing on Saturday, April 29, at 2 p.m. in the Heritage Museum Courtyard as part of the annual Jazz Festival activities. Members of the band are pictured left to right in the front row, Jennifer Hernandez, (seated) Adrian Roberts, Reagan Thornton, (on floor) Stacy Viallaseca, Ethan Noffke, (seated) Kambri Pippin, (floor) Conner Smith, Ty’Kevia Watson, Tony Ducksworth, (seated) Logan Whitehead, Luis Hernandez and (floor) Sydney Tisdale. Pictured in the back row, left to right are Cody Holiday, Caleb Nichols, Kaitlyn Beasley, Hanna Grace Wood, (seated) J.J. Wimbley, (center) Trinity Williams, Leo Norman, (back row seated) Andres Avalos, (standing back row) Shana Davis, (seated) Jessica Manning, (standing) Shawn Beasley and Cambrie McCree.