Rio Tours Argentina
June 14 - 25, 2010
Mr. Murray and Mr. Kiesner led 38 of Rio's finest student musicians on a tour of Argentina that included several concert performances, home stays with local students, late night Tango, pickup futbol games, a snowball fight in the Andes, museums and sightseeing. Among the highlights was a 4-encore performance at Mendoza’s Teatro Independencia, the city's main concert hall.
Essentially Ellington Recap
The AM Jazz Ensemble, finalists in the 2010 Essentially Ellington Festival in New York City, spent three days immersed in workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals and performances at the “House of Swing,” Jazz at Lincoln Center’s home, Fredrick P. Rose Hall. After the three day festival, honors were announced during the Final Concert and Awards Ceremony that took place May 10th at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.
The Rio Americano Rhythm Section comprised of Jarrett Tracy (drums), Nathan Swedlow (bass), David Williams (piano), Derek Sup (vibes) and Victor San Pedro (guitar) received an Honorable Mention for their outstanding performance as a section. In addition, the following Rio students were recognized for Outstanding Solo Performance: Graham Smith (alto sax), Zach Giberson (alto sax), Zachary Darf (tenor Sax), Victor San Pedro (guitar) and Aneil Dhillon (honorable mention, tenor sax).
Click Here to Listen to Rio's EE Submissions
The AM Jazz Ensemble at Avery Fisher Hall
To find out more about the Essentially Ellington Festival, visit www.jalc.org
Big News from DownBeat
DownBeat Magazine, the journalistic authority on jazz since the 1930’s, has released their 2010 Student Music Awards. These are some of the most prestigious awards possible in the field of jazz education, and are determined by a panel of esteemed journalists, educators, and musicians.
Rio’s Spaghett! Was named the ‘Best Jazz Group (High School Division) in the United States!
Members include Zach Giberson (sax), Zach Darf (sax), David Williams (piano), Victor San Pedro (guitar), Nathan Swedlow (bass) and Jarrett Tracy (drums). There is a large photo of Spaghett! on page 84 of the June issue.
Click here to check out some Spaghett! downloads
Another DownBeat Award went to Zach Giberson who was named Outstanding Performer in the Original Song category, for his composition “The Ladder”. Zach was also named the National Winner in the Jazz Arrangement category, for his treatment of Sun Ra’s “A Call For All Demons”.
In addition, Ann Pedersen, Rio class of 2002, was named the best graduate college vocalist in the nation.
Congratulations to all of these wonderful musicians.
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Jazz for Hire!
The Rio Americano High School AM Jazz Band and Combos are available for private parties and events. Proceeds help support our students and program.
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