2 Agoura High Jazz Musicians Soft-Pedal Gig

While most of the other novice jazz musicians inside Agoura High School’s music room grappled with the tonality of Bob Mintzer’s “Elvin’s Mambo,” sophomore Sam Sadigursky and senior Ryan Poulson prepared to give a concert in much different--and much larger--surroundings.

The two aspiring marquee players, who qualified last month for the 1995 Southern California Jazz All-Stars, will join about 60 high school musicians March 3 in a big band concert and dance at Disneyland.

Two all-star high school ensembles and one all-star junior high school group, each made up of 18 to 20 players, are slated to play both classic and contemporary jazz selections all day that Friday.

About 250 students from Southern California auditioned for the event inside the “Magic Kingdom.” But Sam and Ryan downplayed the importance of their upcoming gig during an interview this week.

Sam, who will play first tenor saxophone during one of the “High School Jazz All-Stars” sets, said it’s “just another opportunity to meet some people with the same interests as you.”

“A lot of kids are in several honor groups throughout Southern California,” said Ryan, the second trombone with the same group. He added that keeping active in them “is a nice way to stay in touch with the people you’ve met before.”

Looking to take their talents beyond the suburban sensibilities enveloping both Disneyland and their hometown, Sam and Ryan brighten somewhat more when talking about the prospect of playing under the tutelage of renowned pianist and composer Matt Harris.

Harris will direct their All-Star group for the March 3 event and a March 5 concert in Brea.

“He is a great musician,” Ryan said. “It will be enjoyable to play with someone of (Matt Harris’) caliber because he has a lot to teach you.”

Ryan, who has played the trombone for about eight years, hopes to continue surrounding himself with high level players in college by leaving Los Angeles and attending either a music school in New York or the University of Indiana.

“The main idea is to find teachers and an atmosphere that will help you learn more as a musician,” he said. “This isn’t the place. You’re liable to get lost in California.”

Sam agreed. “You’ve got to get out of the West Coast to play real jazz.”

The son of classically trained musicians, Sam has been exposed to the whims of the music industry all his life. After playing the saxophone for four years, he’s convinced that survival as a musician means always leaving yourself an out.

“You have to be sort of a chameleon to make it,” he said.

“I may play ska or rock instead of jazz . . . I’m still finding my direction. If I do play jazz, I may follow the footsteps of John Coltrane, Miles Davis or Kenny G.”