KUUMBWA JAZZ HONOR BAND

2009 – 2010 Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band

John Bouwsma – saxophone (Santa Cruz High School)
Ian Bowman - tenor saxophone (Pacific Collegiate School)
Gabriel Cerecedes – trumpet (Watsonville High School)
Leif Christiansen – bass (Santa Cruz High School)
Jasmine Daniele - violin (Monte Vista Christian School)
Gabriel Johns-Robledo - Vocals (Pajaro Valley High School)
Shamik Mascharak – drums (Santa Cruz High School)
Maxwell Maurier – piano (Pacific Collegiate School)
Derek Mitchler - drums (Harbor High School)
Nick Wallace – guitar (AFE Homeschool)
Steve Wilson - Band Director

Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band, a hand-selected group of the most talented high school-level jazz performers across Santa Cruz county, continues to offer young musicians a place to expand their horizons. Whether the student's path is toward a career as a professional musician or just finding a place to expand their sense of creativity and personal expression, this program has a profound influence on all those who are accepted. For over a decade, Kuumbwa Jazz has been providing this unique opportunity to hardworking, talented, and deserving young musicians. The Honor Band is an integral aspect of Kuumbwa's mission and a great deal of purpose and pride goes into improving the experience each year.

Members of the Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band have successfully auditioned to be accepted as part of this elite group. Band members attend weekly rehearsals, study complex jazz theory and improvisation, and learn essential life skills such as communication, cooperation and critical thinking. The Honor Band performs at community benefits, festivals and special events, ending each school year with a concert on the stage at Kuumbwa Jazz Center.

Schedule of Concerts

December 13 - Bocchi’s Cellar – Music Teachers Awards Ceremony
December 15 - Kuumbwa Jazz Holiday Party
February 2 - Shadowbrook Restaurant
February 26 - Kuumbwa Dino's Funk 'n Rock for Haiti
April 10, 12pm, Next Generation Jazz Festival
April 26 - Santa Cruz Civic – (atrium)
May 27 - Cookin at Kuumbwa

Photo by: r r jones