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.