Performances begin March 19th with acclaimed jazz bands, dancers, singers The joint is jumpin’ at West Hartford’s Hall High, home of one of the nation’s top high school jazz programs, where students are busy preparing for the annual renowned Pops ’n Jazz show. Opening night is Friday, March 19, with additional performances March 20, 25, 26 and 27. Doors open at 7 p.m. and performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Featured are the Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Dancers, and the Choraliers (jazz singers) in a musical extravaganza that has been a tradition since 1958 when the show was originated by former Band Director Bill Stanley. Hall was one of the first high schools in the United States to integrate jazz into its daily curriculum, and Hall students have performed around the world. (This year, a “Eurotour” is planned, with the Concert Jazz Band, the Choraliers, and the Jazz Dancers traveling and performing in Germany and France over April vacation.) More than 100 student performers are featured in Pops ’n Jazz 2010. The program, which varies slightly each night, includes a blend of traditional and progressive jazz music styles, performed in big band and combo settings, highly choreographed jazz productions, and featured solo performances. Showstoppers this year – the biggest of the big-production numbers featuring musicians, dancers, and singers – will include a medley from the Broadway show, Chicago, and a “King of Pop” Michael Jackson-inspired performance. In addition to the student performances, Pops ’n Jazz features invited guests from the ranks of professional musicians on selected evenings. This year, featured guests include Hall High alumnus Kris Allen (alto saxophone) on March 20; Ali Ryerson (flute) on March 25; and Marvin Stamm (trumpet) on March 26. Participation of guest performers is supported by the Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust. Showcasing up-and-coming young talent from King Philip Middle School, there will be special performances by the KP Singers (March 19 and 27), Sixth Dimension (March 26) and the King Philip Jazz Band (March 25). On March 20, special recognition will be given to the Pops ’n Jazz Elementary All-Stars, which include students from Aiken, Braeburn, Bugbee, Norfeldt, Morley, and Smith elementary schools in West Hartford. Pops ’n Jazz is produced by Haig Shahverdian, Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts for the West Hartford Schools, and John Mastroianni, Hall High’s Director of Bands and Jazz Bands. The Choraliers are under the direction of Vocal Director Lorri Cetto, the Jazz Dancers are under the direction of choreographer Darlene Zoller, and the stage crew and set construction are coordinated by Technical Director Scott Sampietro. Technical theatre and stagecraft students are responsible for set construction, as well as stage management, lighting and audio. Additional assistance is provided by Hall High parents, teachers, and staff. The West Hartford Public Schools have received the Kennedy Center Award for Excellence in Arts Education in recognition of their program. The Hall Concert Jazz Band has performed at the White House and repeatedly been invited to the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival at Lincoln Center. The Concert Jazz Band won the Downbeat award for “Best Big Band” for 2004-05. The previous year, Hall’s jazz singers, the Choraliers, placed first at the Berklee School of Music Jazz Festival in Boston. This year, senior Alexa Tarantino was selected to play in one of the nation’s finest honor ensembles, the 2010 Jazz Band of America. Tarantino plays alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet, and flute, and is leader of the Hall Jazz Combo. Hall Concert Jazz Band alumni include renowned jazz musicians Richie Barshay (drums), Joel Frahm (tenor sax), Brad Mehldau (piano), Erica vonKleist (alto sax), Pete McGuinness (trombone), Noah Preminger (tenor sax), and Patrick Zimmerli (tenor sax). Through the years, the Concert Jazz Band has performed with some of the finest jazz artists in the world, including Phil Woods, Wynton Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Randy Brecker, Jimmy Heath, Bob Mintzer, Dionne Warwick, Kurt Elling, Curtis Fuller, and the Count Basie and Woody Herman Orchestras. Tickets for the show are $12 ($15 after March 7), and are available at the Hall High box office or by calling 232-4561, Ext. 1856. The box office is open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7-8:30 p.m. For more information, the Pops ’n Jazz website is hallhighjazz.com.