The Verde Valley School Jazz Ensemble began its trajectory in September under music director Kevin Robb, an internationally recognized saxophonist recently arrived from Spain. The group will perform a free concert at the Sedona Hub on Friday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m.
Composed of students from all over the world including Vietnam, Germany, Spain, China and the U.S., along with several faculty members, this 15-piece band plays music from classic Duke Ellington jazz charts to Latin standards to versions of rock or pop songs. The group features brass, woodwind, strings and rhythm section instruments, as well as vocalists, so be ready to enjoy an evening of music with the swingingest high school students in town.
Program selections will be made from Moten Swing, Evil Ways, The Girl from Ipanema, Don’t Get Around, Much Anymore, On Broadway, That Old Black Magic, I Got You, Blue Bossa, I´m Beginning to See the Light, Don´t Know Why and All About That Bass.
Musicians include faculty Lianne Lydum, Kevin Robb, Maria Marin and Caleb Kulfan with students Xander Kraus, McLean, Jimmy Wang, Stefanie Kroenert, H. Trang Phan, Victor Robb Martin, Jason Tan, Kingston Robinson, Marco Huang, Angelo Primavera, Laura Robb Martin, and vocals from Marti Follestad-Jutilla and Galen Coburn-Amadio.
Verde Valley School, celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2018, delivers academic excellence through the prestigious International Baccalaureate curriculum, which students and their parents opt to take knowing that it offers them greater benefits and options when applying for college.
Also, the school was named No. 15 best boarding school in the U.S. by Town and Country. More than a boarding school, about 20 percent of its student population is made up of local day students who flourish in the small class size so conducive to personal learning and development.
These students are gifted with unparalleled experiences that immerse them in cultural integration, community service and experiential learning.
Celebrate with this global, multi-generational band of musicians at Sedona Hub, located at 525B Posse Ground Road, next to the skate park.
Admission is free although donations will be gratefully accepted in support of Verde Valley School’s Music Program. Contact Verde Valley School at 284-2272.
