Jazz Spotlight 2018

HOWARD COUNTY, IOWA - Howard County residents enjoyed a night of food, fun, dancing, and jazz music during Crestwood Community School District’s Jazz Spotlight 2018 Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

The 20th annual event featured Director Jason Dobbs and numerous student performers, including the Crestwood High School Jazz Ensemble, the Crestwood Junior High Jazz Combo, the Crestwood High School Symphonic Band and soloists. The black-clad student performers, some accessorizing with top hats and bow ties, took turns soloing at various points during each song.

Students also participated in a ‘Crestwood’s Got Talent’ segment, where each grade level spokesperson told a joke and was rated by audience applause. Karissa Stika was Master of Ceremonies for Jazz Spotlight 2018.

The audience enjoyed mocktails served by members of Mobile Mamma, a Silver Sponsor of Jazz Spotlight. The meal was catered by U 2 BBQ and Catering of Calmar.

The Crestwood High School Jazz Ensemble began the evening with performances of ‘An Afternoon in Paris’ by John Lewis; ‘Blues Bari Pie’ by Andy Clark; ‘L’il Basie’ by Mike Carubia and ‘Cold Duck Time’ by Eddie Harris. 

Student performers included trumpeters Megan Ferrie, Autumn Forcelle, Justin Holt, Amanda Johnson and Eric Trautsch; trombonists Devin Schott, Lawsen Duerre, Caleb Shea, Nick Braun and Zeke Church; alto saxophone players Cassie Hosek and Payton Hanni; tenor saxophone players Anna Ptacek and Annie Mast; bari-saxophonist Reece Meinecke; Luke Ishman on drum set; Katlin Born and Jayden Ruroden on Auxiliary percussion; bass player Charlotte Stinson and pianist Catherine Toale.

The Crestwood Junior High Jazz Combo was joined by a few high school students, as Director Jason Dobbs explained that health issues had sidelined some of the junior high students. The combo performed ‘Swingtown’ and ‘Tryannosaurus Charlie’, both by Dean Sorenson. 

Members of the Junior High Jazz Combo include Ayden Alber and Alayna Larson on saxophone; trumpeter Tara Koshatka; Alaina Bina on clarinet; Brelynne Rogne and Hannah Crouch on flute; and a rhythm section featuring Audrey Ferrie on piano; Zane Wemark on drums and Monty Bunston on Auxiliary percussion.

The Trombone Quartet performed two pieces by Leroy Ostransky, and soloists Charlotte Stinson (ukulele); Brynn Bodermann, Sharon Goodman and Cameron Larson (marimba) and Luke Ishman (timpani) took the spotlight. Sound technician was David Meincke.

The Crestwood Jazz Ensemble returned to perform ‘In the Mood’ by Joe Garland and ‘Route 66’ by Bobby Troupe. 

Director Dobbs announced the senior members of the ensemble, including Megan Ferrie, Autumn Forcelle, Justin Holt, Amanda Johnson, Reece Meinecke, and Catherine Toale. 

He invited audience members to take to the dance floor during the ensemble’s performance of ‘Moonlight Serenade’ by Glenn Miller and Mitchell Parish, noting that the graduating seniors would always remember the moment of serenading their parents. Numerous couples and a few children obliged. 

The Jazz Ensemble closed with ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ by Ray Price.

The Crestwood High School Symphonic Band concluded the evening by performing selections from ‘Moana,’ arranged by Jay Bocook.