Local jazz band only Canadian finalist in New York competition
By Jolie Toews May 8, 2008 |
When Clay Ridd went to New York City to perform with his jazz band, he thought it would be a once-in-a-life experience.
Little did he know that he’d get to do it all over again a year later.
“When I went last year, I was savouring every moment because I didn’t know I’d be going again,” Ridd says.
The Grade 12 student, who plays several instruments including saxophone and clarinet, has been part of the River East Collegiate jazz band for three years.
In May, the 17-member band will be the only Canadian group competing in the Essentially Ellington high school jazz band competition and festival run by New York City based Jazz at Lincoln Center. It will be River East Collegiate’s fourth appearance at the competition.
Fifteen finalists have been chosen to compete in the 13th annual contest. Because the River East band was a finalist last year it had to compete to earn a place in the top five this year, as the other 10 slots in the finals are reserved are for first-time finalists.
Ridd is overjoyed about the opportunity to go to New York again.
“We get the chance to play with some of the best musicians in the world,” he says.
“From the moment you step onto the ground in New York, you immediately experience a new culture,” he says.
“You become completely focussed on something that matters to you. It’s like heaven to me.”
Band director Jeff Kula says this will be a life experience for the group.
“I feel very proud of this level of accomplishment.”
To prepare for the big event, Kula says the River East band has been rehearsing four times a week.
Jazz at Lincoln Center distributed newly-transcribed Ellington scores to 900 high schools throughout the world.
Eighty-two bands entered the competition by submitting recorded performances of three Duke Ellington compositions.
The River East group chose to record Blue Ramble, Mood Indigo and The Mooche.
“We were encouraged to personalize them. They’re not meant to be museum pieces,” Kula says.
“As long as you know what Duke intended, you can add your own flavour to it,” says Ridd, who calls the late Ellington one of the greatest composers of our time.
