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Ferris High jazzed for Seattle festival invite

Ben Brueggemeier, right, leads Nick Beine, left, on sax, and the Ferris High School Jazz Orchestra during early morning practice Feb. 2 in the school’s band room. The jazz orchestra was selected to attend the Seattle Jazz Experience on March 13-14 at SeattleCenter. (PHOTOS BY DAN PELLE)
Ben Brueggemeier, right, leads Nick Beine, left, on sax, and the Ferris High School Jazz Orchestra during early morning practice Feb. 2 in the school’s band room. The jazz orchestra was selected to attend the Seattle Jazz Experience on March 13-14 at SeattleCenter. (PHOTOS BY DAN PELLE)
By Jody Lawrence-Turner jodyl@spokesman.com(509) 459-5593

Any college or high school band around the world can audition to participate in the Seattle Jazz Experience. Only 20 are invited.

Ferris High School’s jazz orchestra has landed a spot for the second year in a row, edging out dozens of other high school bands. Only six high school bands are invited to the two-day event in March.

The jazz orchestra will perform four songs, participate in a one-hour clinic, be treated to an evening performance by guest artists, and jam with experienced jazz musicians.

“It’s all about the jazz community, and sharing ideas with each other and watching each other,” said Ben Brueggemeier, Ferris’ band director. “It’s by far the best jazz festival I’ve ever done over the last 18 years.”

The festival is young. This is only its second year. The guest artists its drawing, on the other hand, are seasoned performers.

The featured composer is Montreal-based saxophonist Christine Jensen, who has been described as an original voice on the international jazz scene and is considered one of Canada’s most compelling composers. Guest artists are a list of jazz musicians from all over the nation, including Kneebody – an up-and-coming group with an energetic sound.

Brueggemeier adds, “They call it a jazz experience, and it truly is.”

Ferris earned its spot in the festival by sending in recordings from a fall concert, Brueggemeier said.

The jazz orchestra will be playing a couple of swing tunes, “Seesaw” and “Out of the Doghouse,” a Latin tune, “Uchibeng Wow Wow,” and “Shofuken” by Snarky Puppy, a new group that’s hot on the jazz scene.

Brueggemeier tailored some of the choices to align with the featured composer’s style.

Taylor Heath, 18, is excited to be attending the festival for the second year.

“The size of the festival is great, because it’s small,” he said. “The workshops and playing pack our schedule.”

Heath, who plays piano and keyboards in the jazz orchestra, likes his band’s playlist. “I think the songs are going to sound really good before we get there. They already sound good.”