Each year the CHS Jazz Ensemble concludes their school year by presenting their annual Spring jazz concert entitled, “All That Jazz.” This year’s concert marks the 40th year that noted professional musicians have been asked to perform as guest artists for the event. The guest artists serve as clinicians for the group by rehearsing with the band at length during the evening prior to the concert date, and then again on the day of the concert. This is followed by an public concert held later that evening in the high school auditorium.
Headlining the event is the "The Jim Widner Sextet" which includes: Bassist Jim Widner, Trombonist Tom “Bones” Malone, Saxophonist Chip McNeill, Trumpeter Allen Beeson, Pianist Steve Allee and Drummer Stockton Helbing. All the members of the group are highly accomplished and internationally respected jazz musicians.
All That Jazz Opus XL will include the Chesterton High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Michael Scheiber, as well as the Chesterton Middle School Jazz Band under the direction of Mr.Vincent Arizzi. Tickets are available at the door, or through the CHS Music Dept. The concert will take place in the CHS Auditorium on Saturday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are all $10.00 each.
All seating is general admission. For additional information, contact the CHS Music Office at 983-3730.
Jim Widner, an alumnus of the Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, and Glenn Miller big bands, is celebrating his 19th year of hosting summer camps all across the United States. As a bassist with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Jim was strongly influenced and motivated by Kenton’s dedication to young student musicians. He was a faculty member of the Kenton camps for 10 years and helped Stan organize and expand his camps from California to other locations across the United States.
Tom “Bones” Malone is an American jazz musician. As his nickname implies, he specializes on the trombone, but also plays trumpet, tuba, tenor sax, baritone sax, flutes, piccolo, and other instruments. He has performed with Woody Herman Band, Doc Severinsen, Louis Bellson, Blood Sweat and Tears, CBS Orchestra with Paul Shaffer, and he's perhaps best known for his role in the hit movie, The Blues Brothers and Blues Brothers 2000.
Chip McNeill is a jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator. He is a tenured associate professor and chair of jazz studies at the University of Illinois and has performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson Band, Arturo Sandoval, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, and Wynton Marsalis.
Trumpeter Allen Beeson performed with Bobby Shew, Les Brown Big Band, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Bob Hope and Mel Torme. He currently is an adjunct professor of jazz trumpet at the University of Missouri in St. Louis.
Steve Allee, pianist, composer, and arranger, is a veteran of more than 35 years on the music scene, working principally in jazz, writing and performing for syndicated radio programs, network television and motion pictures, and as a music educator. He is a Grammy Award Nominee, Music Director of the famed Bob and Tom radio Show, and a veteran performer with The Randy Brecker Quartet and Rufus Reid Trio.
Stockton Helbing is one of the most diverse drummers in the world. He is not only a drummer, but a composer, arranger, producer, band leader, educator, music director, author, and entrepreneur. Since 2004, Stockton has fronted his own band, the Stockton Helbing Quintet , an ensemble that he performs and tours with, all around the United States. He is the former music director for iconic trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. Mr. Helbing is alumni of the highly respected University of North Texas "One O’Clock Lab Band", and is currently touring as the drummer for “Doc” Severinsen Band, best known for their years as the featured band on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show.