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Apr 05
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Thinking With Jazz

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Roundtable Q&A: “Thinking with Jazz: The Educational Impact of Improvisation”

In conjunction with the Jazz Arts Celebration concert, a unique discussion and roundtable will

[Portrait of Oscar Moore, Nat King Cole, and Wesley Prince, New York, N.Y., ca. July 1946]

be held at 4 pm, May 9th at Clearfield High School. (Room to be announced.) Kids interested in studying jazz and music in college will have a great opportunity to talk with Dr. Alex Heitlinger (Utah Valley University), Dr. Dan Jonas (Weber State University) and Doctoral Candidate David Hall (University of Utah) in a round table discussion about the art of jazz.
We’ll be talking about the potential benefits of studying jazz improvisation to your critical thinking skills and overall creativity in your studies, careers and research. Technology companies, top researchers and fortune 500 firms strive to find colleagues and employees who have the ability to think in creative ways, build new connections and solve problems with new and elegant ideas. Music and especially jazz can have a distinct impact on how you sharpen those skills throughout your educational career, whether  you strive to be a professional musician or keep playing in the community semi-professionally.
We will be talking about the importance of jazz education in k-12 the first 30 minutes of the discussion, followed by 30 minutes for students to talk with the professors about what it takes to cultivate a successful college career.
References for the discussion:
Mar 22
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Night Star Jazz Orchestra

Jazz Arts Celebration 2018

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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.

Herb Alpert FoundationIn 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

Legacy Music AllianceJazz Education NetworkHires Big H

Jan 09
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Katrina Cannon Top 10

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Katrina Cannon

We’re bringing in 2018 with Katrina Cannon‘s favorite charts featuring the Night Star Jazz Orchestra with a great show guaranteed to keep you swingin’ all night long. Records like “Anita Sings the Most”, “Ella Swings Lightly” and “Sassy Swings Again” featured Anita O’Day, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan singing their favorites from the top arrangers and players of the day. We’ll be featuring Katrina’s favorites from some of today’s top arrangers and great local players and some of the best charts from the past. Don’t miss a special show featuring Katrina! Admission is free, sponsored by Excellence in the Community.

Come on out the show this Thursday January 11th at 7:30 pm, help us count down Katrina Cannon‘s Top 10 tunes and dance the night away! There’s plenty of great places to get dinner in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah check out Visit Utah‘s dining page or Female Foodie for new ideas and then join us for the show indoors at the Gallivan Events Center in Salt Lake!

 

Jul 19
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Vibes and Voice with Jay Lawrence

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We have two special shows to announce for August and September. We’ll have Jay Lawrence on vibes with us for our vibes and voice shows on Saturday August 19th at the City of Holladay Park and on September 12th for the Excellence in the Community, Salt Lake City and Gallivan Center Events big band Tuesdays. This is a show you don’t want to miss! Shows are brought to you by sponsors of Excellence in the Community. Admission is free, you can’t beat that!
 
 
Stay tuned, we’ll post a few video clips as well!
Feb 16
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Elegant Ella – Centennial Celebration

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Elegant Ella - Centennial Celebration

Join us for an evening of song on May 13th, 2017 for a tribute to the great Ella Fitzgerald.  This year, 2017, marks the centennial of Ella’s birth. Ella Fitzgerald was prolific vocal artist who left an indelible mark on jazz and popular song. The Night Star Jazz Orchestra will be performing with a studio orchestra featuring Katrina Cannon singing the Great American Songbook album hits recorded by Ella. The orchestra will be performing arrangements by Nelson Riddle, from the ‘Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook’ album along with selections from song book albums of Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, Duke Ellington and Irving Berlin that preceded it.

The program will also feature Jay Lawrence on vibraphone to complement the orchestra with charts made famous by Milt Jackson and Terry Gibbs.

The event will be held at Brighton High School as a fundraiser to support the instrumental music program under the direction of Mr. David Featherstone and the vocal program directed by Mr. Daniel Emrazian. Music and the performing arts contribute to the academic growth and intellectual stimulation of students throughout their academic careers. The Night Star Jazz Orchestra is made of professional musicians, educators and pro-am performers who are indebted to the teachers that made their careers possible. All ticket proceeds benefit the music program at the school.

Advance tickets for the Elegant Ella – Centennial Celebration, May 13th show are now available at Brighton High School in the main office until May 12th. Cash, card or check accepted at the office

$12 Adults, $8 for students and children.

May 13th tickets will be sold at the door.

Email: events@nighstarjazzorchestra.com for advance ticket sales for large groups

Elegant Ella – Centennial Celebration Flyer 

Listen to preview tracks of Katrina

The Ella at 100: The Centennial Celebration, held April 25, 2017 through April 25, 2018, is organized by the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation to celebrate the life of Ella.  The Night Star Jazz Orchestra: Elegant Ella program is one of many shows throughout the world to pay tribute to the first lady of song, Ella Fitzgerald. More information about this foundation can be found at www.ellafitzgeraldfoundation.org.

PRESS RELEASE

This event is generously funded by these sponsors:

  • Larson Certified Public Accountants
  • Utah Restaurant Association
  • Sequoia Development
  • Cowboy Partners
  • Jazz Education Network
  • Larry Miller Arena Corporation
  • Zions Bank
  • Workers Compensation Fund
  • Wadman Construction
  • Cannon Disability Law
  • Jim Jardine, Esq.
  • Ashley and Chris Anderson
  • Hires Big H
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