We are proud to announce that our jazz education performance for 2018 will be held at Clearfield High School on May 9th, 2018. Our show this year is a celebration of the jazz arts in education, with the support of Mr. Keith Sorenson director of bands at Clearfield High School. We’re honored to share the stage with Mr. Sorenson’s jazz band with a great program celebrating jazz.
[Portrait of Thelonious Monk, Minton’s Playhouse, New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1947]
We’ll be featuring Katrina Cannon on vocals and the 2017 Night Star Jazz Orchestra Student Composition and Arranging winner Tony Elison with his arrangement of Thelonious Monk’s “Eronel.” We’ll also feature big band charts from the top writers and arrangers in the business today and will be performing with the Clearfield High School Jazz Band for a few numbers.
Dr. Dan Jonas, Trumpet
Dr. Dan Jonas of Weber State University and Dr. Alex Heitlinger of Utah Valley University will also be performing with the Night Star Jazz Orchestra and will be available to meet with students interested in jazz arts at the University level. Jazz education is a focal tenant of what drives the Night Star Jazz Orchestra, as the study of jazz contributes to a deep understanding of what it takes to be an innovator in the modern workforce of today.
Dr. Alex Heitlinger Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz and Contemporary Performance at Utah Valley University, “Jazz is unique because it asks musicians to re-invent their music at each and every performance. Jazz demands a strong personal approach (and the courage to be yourself) but also forces you to negotiate your musical opinions with those of your bandmates. Learning to play jazz teaches you to listen with an open mind, to communicate clearly and openly, to understand and appreciate differing points of view, to support your peers, to think critically and creatively, and to solve problems on the fly. According to the latest research by Google, these are the skills that best predict success in today’s rapidly evolving workforce”
Dr. Dan Jonas believes the study of jazz is more than just learning the technical side of a solo or playing your part in a jazz ensemble. “I believe jazz education is important for two reasons. First, to understand jazz – it’s performance and history – is to come to a deeper understanding of what it means to be American. So much of our shared history, complete with all of its conflicts and compromises, is told through this music and the lives of the musicians who played it. Secondly, there is so much more to jazz than learning the notes. In order to be a great improviser, you have to know how to work with people, you have to think on your feet, you have to be a problem solver, you have to deal with your mistakes (and their consequences) in real time, and you have to be adaptable. I can’t think of any profession or part of life that doesn’t benefit from having those skills.”
The concert program with Clearfield High School is generously funded in part by the Herb Alpert Foundation and the Jazz Education Network Jazz2U Grant.
In 2017 the Night Star Jazz Orchestra produced the Elegant Ella Centennial Celebration at Brighton High School, featuring Katrina Cannon, Jay Lawrence and a 16 piece string orchestra with the Night Star Jazz Orchestra big band.
Don’t miss the show this year featuring great music, fantastic musicians and the unique American gift that is jazz. More details about the show coming soon.
Press Release: press-release-20180509-jazz-arts-celebration
Event Poster: Jazz Arts Celebration
Tickets: $12 adults, $8 students and children
Location: Clearfield High School
931 S. 1000 E.
Clearfield, Utah 84015
Clearfield HS Choir Room
4:00 pm “Thinking With Jazz” Roundtable Q&A
Clearfield HS Auditorium
6:30 pm Clearfield High School Jazz Band & West Point Jr. High Jazz Band
7:30 pm Night Star Jazz Orchestra
The Night Star Jazz Orchestra will be performing for the first time at the 
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