Suzie Harrison The buzz made its way...
Suzie Harrison
The buzz made its way around the classroom as musicians pulled
their instruments out of their cases and began warming up. The room
filled with the sounds of jazz during a recent practice by the Laguna
Beach High School Jazz Ensemble, which is preparing for its
performance in the ninth annual Jazz and Blues Festival.
This year’s Jazz and Blues Festival, on Feb. 1, stars artist
Thelma Jones with John Heussenstamm and the Land of Jam, as well the
Laguna Beach High School Jazz Ensemble.
The players expressed their enthusiasm about performing with great
musicians.
“It’s going to be a great performance,” Katie Massey, 17, said.
“John Heussenstamm is a really talented performer, and it’s a great
opportunity for people to support our program, as well as hear some
great music.”
Massey described it as a really fun and energetic event and thinks
it’s a great experience for the band and the audience.
“It’s fun to do every year. It’s one of the most fun concerts to
do,” Michael Cronin, 17, said. “I like hearing all the others play,
because they’re really good.”
Laguna Beach resident Heussenstamm was responsible for creating
this fund-raiser since its inception and remains the driving force
behind it.
Band director Wade Hendricks is new to the school this year and
has been working with the students to prepare for this big event. He
will be directing the ensemble in their opening numbers, which
include some funk, Cole Porter and Blood Sweat and Tears.
“I was asked to continue the Jazz and Blues Festival, which
started with John Heussenstamm in the area, who is a recording
artist,” Hendricks said. “He lives in Laguna Beach and has lots of
friends in the area. It started as a benefit for the school’s music
department. It’s high end.”
Nine years later, the students and staff appreciate Heussenstamm’s
support.
“He still does it for us,” Hendricks said. “John Heussenstamm is a
talented artist. What a wonderful gift this concert is.”
Heussenstamm has been called “possibly the most aggressive blues
guitarist on the scene today” by the Los Angeles Times and has played
with some of the best musicians in the country. His impressive resume
includes his talents as a lyrical composer and the release of many
albums.
He started it because the music department at the time was in
financial trouble due to district cut backs Heussenstamm said. After
attending a play at the newly renovated Artists’ Theater, he was
impressed and thought it would be a wonderful place to play.
“Three of my kids were with the program, even at Thurston with Mr.
Foster,” Heussenstamm said. “It was a challenge to see if I could
coax famous people to play there. I thought, because it’s such a nice
theater and Laguna Beach is so nice, they’ll want to play here.”
Heussenstamm said he really loves doing it and enjoys playing
music with the other performers. He also likes that the proceeds go
to a good cause.
“I get to play with really great musicians and continue to raise
money,” Heussenstamm said. “Thelma Jones started singing gospel when
she was 5. We got together through a mutual friend because we have
similar styles and interests.”
He said that they inspire each other and put a CD out together.
Drummer Gabe Rabben, 15, is looking forward to the concert.
“I like that there’s all the different musicians there every
year,” Rabben said. “We have a good variety, we’re playing all new
stuff that he gave us this year. “It’s good as a new teacher to
establish his own style. And the town really knows John Heussenstamm.
Every time it’s been a full house.
Hendricks said he feels it’s a good experience for the ensemble to
perform for a large group of people, see the high caliber of
performers and understand the generosity of the concert and how it
benefits the program.
“It’s a lot of fun. Besides being a great night of music, it’s a
good experience for the students,” Heussenstamm said. “It’s kind of a
family night of music, and there will be surprise guests. It sold out
the last five years.”
The ninth annual Blues and Jazz Festival is at 7:30 p.m. at the
Laguna Beach High School’s Artists Theater, at 625 Park Ave. Tickets
are $25 for reserved, $15 general and $10 for students. For
information or tickets, call 497-9779.
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