Jazz at Fishel Park 2011

The Jazz Ensemble from South High School in Downers Grove swung hard last night in their final public performance of the 2010-2011 school year. Opening with Rockin' in Rhythm and closing with The Git, the ensemble displayed impressive soulfulness and technical capacity. We pay special homage to our parting seniors: Elliot Bild - trumpet; Tim Neumann - trombone; Will O'Dell - baritone saxophone; Callie Sorce - tenor saxophone; Trevor Yde - drums; Peter Zlotnicki - trumpet. Your contributions to the recent performance success at DGS is remarkable - we'll miss each of you tremendously! Special "shout-out" to our colleagues at DGN for their performances, and, for hosting the event tonight while the new band shell at Fishel Park undergoes final construction.

DG South Jazz at 65th Midwest Clinic

Congratulations to the DGS Jazz Ensemble and their director Craig Roselieb for being accepted to perform at the 65th annual MidWest Clinic in December of 2011. Held at McCormick Place in Chicago, the MidWest Clinic is annually attended by nearly 16,000 professional educators from all 50 states and from more than 30 countries internationally. Each conference features nearly 30 concerts and 90 clinics by the finest performing ensembles and music educators from around the world.
"Acceptance to perform at this convention is the pinnacle of performance success for a high school ensemble." said DGS Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams. "This truly outstanding group continues a remarkable run of recent performance success."
For information about the DGS Jazz program or the MidWest Clinic, contact DGS Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

Ellis & Liberty Islands. In a word: breathtaking.

The DGS Jazz Ensemble arose to a scrumptious breakfast before hitting the road at 8:00a (EST) this morning.

We toured Ellis Island first, learning much about this great American gateway that ushered over 11 million immigrants through its doors. The students viewed much memorabilia from the era and were in awe of the photos they saw. Imagining the emotions and attitudes present during its heyday can easily overwhelm. It was incredible.

At Liberty Island, we experienced a different type of awe. Lady Liberty looked dazzling against the cloudless blue sky. Neither postcards nor my phone's wimpy camera can do her justice, (forgive the pun) but photos will be posted anyway. It was truly something to behold.

More ramblings later. Lunch!

Welcome to the Empire State. Briefly.

The DGS Jazz Ensemble has hit the New York scene. Our plane has landed, bags have been claimed, and bus has been boarded at LaGuardia -- and that's about all we'll get to do in NY today -- now, it's New Jersey time. We're getting a great tour on the way, though. Topics covered so far include: the Mets (and Citi Stadium), the World Fair, street nomenclature and topography, the spike atop the Empire State Building (created to harbor blimps, apparently), and the schist which you'll find in Manhattan sidewalks. Sadly, my battery indicator tells me that I must conclude this post. Good night!

Vistas from Times Square...........

More Times Square views

Sights of Times Square

Delicious and nutricious..............

Traveling with Bob Rogers Travel ALWAYS means a quality breakfast. Hots, colds, and fruit. Delicious and nutricious indeed.................

Tutuma Social Club

At the Tutuma Social Club, the DGS JE listened and ate while alumna Lauren Wood and her Afro-Peruvian band tore it up onstage. It was a real treat to see Lauren again, as well as to hear her latest musical endeavors firsthand. Once Lauren's band completed their set, several DGS students joined in, collaborating with some of the NY musicians from Lauren's band, as well. The students had a blast. Fun was had by all.

And the winners are.............

The finale concert at Avery Fisher at the Lincoln Center featured the top three high school jazz bands, followed up by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Next year, in addition to the music of Duke Ellington, the EE program will promote the music of Dizzy Gillespie.

The top three high school bands as selected by the judges are the Dillard School of the Arts from Florida, Roosevelt HS from Washington, and Mountlskr Terrace HS near Brier, Washington.

Numerous student musicians from all 16 bands were awarded a variety of individual and section awards. Congratulations to these Mustang musicians for being recognized by the judging panel:

Ian Williams, sophomore - piano
Andrada Pteanc, junior - bass
Julia Wood, sophomore - bass

Our bus driver........

The name of our bus driver is John. He might be the best bus driver I've worked with in more than two decades. Your students will have many stories about the escapades of John the bus driver. Be certain to ask them about him.........

The performance is finally here............

Playing in front of a packed house at Rose Theatre and for an illustrious panel of adjudicators (Wynton Marsalis, Jeff Hamilton, David Berger, Vincent Garnder and Rich DeRosa,) your DG South Jazz Ensemble held their own against the 15 bands from around the world. The judges are in deliberation currently, and the results will be announced in less than 30 minutes. Regardless of the decision of the panel, our students played in the swing style with amazing authenticity. Great work today everyone!

The stage is set, the band is ready. Hit it!

It's show time. The band is backstage warming up, and the energy in the air is palpable. Catch the performance on

Dallas BBQ DInner, Strawberry Fields...........

Scenes from Jazz at Lincoln Center

Today, we got to experience an open rehearsal of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Rose Hall is stunning, both acoustically and visually.

Some guy named Wynton...

The band grabbed a quick lunch on the street yesterday afternoon and was then welcomed to the festival by a trumpet player named Wynton Marsalis. He was somewhat hip, slightly laid back, moderately personable, had a couple words of wisdom for the festival participants -- it really was no big deal.

I kid you.

Everything about it was the cat's pajamas. Wynton's welcome will stay with me for a long time, and I'm confident that the students felt the same way. Don't take my word for it, though. Ask them!