Lakeside’s Jazz Band Captures Fourth Place In National Contest

One, two, three, four.

Band Director Karl Mote snaps his fingers, counting out the rhythm.

“Ba-boo-da-da…” he hums Trumpets, trombones, drums, piano and sax pick up the beat.

Reebocks and Birkenstocks keep time as the Lakeside High School jazz band in Nine Mile Falls fills the music room with “Mambo de Memo.”

It’s the same tune they played in Reno, Nev., last month when they captured fourth place in the National Jazz Festival.

No one was more surprised at the victory than the band and its leader.

They were just expecting to go and have fun, say band members.

They played at 9 a.m. the first morning; the rankings weren’t announced until the next day.

“I was worried; I was on pins and needles for 36 hours,” says Mote.

The band’s overall score ranked in the top 8 percent of all 268 competing bands.

“We were really surprised,” said musician Derek Smith, a junior. “At the local festivals, the judges didn’t like us.”

It’s been a long road for the band members, known as the Eagle Jazz Ensemble. Some of them have been together six years.

When Mote took over the ensemble five years ago, there were just nine musicians without much future.

“They were really horrible,” said Mote, shaking his head at the memory.

Now there are 20 jazz band members. They gather enthusiastically at 7:30 a.m. to practice, going over each riff until it comes out silky-smooth. Decked out in forest-green shirts and paisley ties, the band uniform, they seem in harmony with the pine trees that surround the school.

The musicians think highly of their director.

“He is tough, but he makes band fun,” says Darren Mattozi, explaining their success. “Well, that, and a great bass trombone,” Mattozi adds, raising his trombone slightly.

Mote, admired by band members as a cross between a demanding boss and a cuddly teddy bear, enjoys the time on the road as much as the kids.

“It’s a blast,” he says. “We’ve done a lot of traveling in the last three or four years, and they are great kids.

“We have a ton of good players,” he added.

The group is already booked for an adventure next spring: Disneyland, to march in the Festival of Lights Parade.

But, now, it’s time to practice.

“Okay, rip that trumpet,” says Mote, fingers snapping.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo