Swing City Joins Jazz Ensemble For Friday’s Concert

Swing City will join members of the Avon Lake Jazz Ensemble for a special Friday, April 20 performance at The Jump, Jive, and Swing Jazz Festival.

The festival began last year at Bay High School and will take a turn at Performing Arts Center. It also marks the first collaboration for the two groups. Previously, Avon Lake has performed with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Cleveland Jazz Heritage Orchestra and the TOPS Swing Band

"This is the first time that the Swing City Big Band will perform with the Avon Lake Jazz Ensemble,” Avon Lake music director David Eddleman said of the Friday performance.

Although the Avon Lake Jazz Ensemble is relatively new, it’s made significant strides. Eddleman started the ensemble in 2005 as an after school group and in 2009 jazz band was offered as a class. Currently, about half the band members take the class. As a whole, the band performs at events in the schools and around the community.

Eddleman said the collaboration with Swing City came about while he was searching for a professional group to come to the jazz festival.

“Dale Hildebrand, Brookside Band Director, suggested the Swing City Big Band,” Eddleman said of Hildebrand, who plays trombone in the Swing City band. The band also includes Peggy Gibbons, Ray Ewers and Cindy Smith. Terry Kitchen is the band's leader.

In addition to Swing City and Avon Lake High School, jazz bands from Bay Village and Brookside high school and the Learwood Middle School Jazz Band will also perform. In total, attendees can expect to see about 100 performers.

The Friday concert, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature plenty of recognizable songs including Over the Rainbow, Respect, I’ve Got A Gal in Kalamazoo and God Bless the USA, which will be performed in conjunction with the Avon Lake Jazz Ensemble. Admission $5 and $3 for seniors/students at the door.

Free concert on Thursday

The Spring Band Concert this Thursday night, April 19, features the Concert Band and Symphonic Band.  Both bands will perform at the OMEA State Finals in North Royalton the following week.

“While our top group, the Symphonic Band, regularly qualifies for state finals, it is a special year when both bands qualify for state,” Eddleman said.

The Symphonic Band will be performing Mekong by Robert Smith.

The West Seneca West Wind Ensemble from Buffalo will also participate. They are directed by Oberlin Conservatory alum John Blickwedehl. John Knight, Professor of Music at Oberlin, will guest conduct the New York group when they play Elsa's Procession To The Cathedral by Richard Wagner.

“Their band and our Symphonic Band will join forces at the end of the concert to play Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever, Eddleman said.

The April 19 concert begins at 7:30 p.m. The event is free, but donations will be accepted.

Tag sale is Saturday            

The April 21 Avon Lake Instrumental serves as a fundraiser for instrumental students in grades five through 12.

“The tag sale is one of several fundraisers held by the Avon Lake Band Aids Eddleman said. “The Band Aids are a vital support group for instrumental music in our schools.”

The sale will be held in the high school Commons from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Everything is 50 percent off from 1 p.m. -2 p.m.

Drop off donations on Friday, April 20 from 4 p.m. -9 p.m. at ALHS Commons.  Have an item too big to transport? Call 440-933-7054 to schedule a pickup.