By Viviana Morales

The award-winning GHC Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos held a powerful performance, “An Evening of Jazz,” on April 29 in Highlander Hall. 

The ensemble was led by Grammy-winning trumpeter/arranger and visual and performing arts (VAPA) teacher Todd Simon, with additional support from fellow VAPA teacher and master percussionist Dainel Afaro, who enriched the group’s percussion  section with his expertise.

The ensemble also had the privilege of working with retired high school jazz director Jim Foschia, a clinician with the Stanford Jazz Workshop. Foschia, who has grown close with both Simon and the students, served as a guest mentor throughout the year. 

Leading up to their performance in Highlander Hall, the student musicians tackled a diverse and challenging repertoire. Some pieces required weeks of practice, while others were mastered in just a handful of rehearsals. For example, they had performed “Frankenstein Ska” after only rehearsing about five times. 

“The ensemble learned a very intricate arrangement of the Charles Mingus classic “Self Portrait In Three Colors’ within six rehearsals,” Simon said. “I’m extremely proud of them for that.”

The Jazz program has seen remarkable growth in just the last two years. The program has grown to three combos and a big band, with one of its main goals being the creation of a second jazz ensemble. 

During the two-hour performance, the ensemble and combos showcased a variety of jazz styles. The A Combo performed Ornette Colemen’s “The Blessing,” a sensitive piece filled with soloists playing passionately. They transitioned into performing one of Simon’s all-time favorite pieces, “Sao Paulo” by Kenny Dorham. To end off the night, the jazz ensemble performed a Afro-Cuban version of Dizzy Gillespie’s “Con Alma.” 

“My favorite song was this Latin tune we played with the big band called ‘Con Calma.’” freshman guitarist and trombone player Luis Reyes said. “That arrangement is an absolutely beautiful take on the original. I don’t think I’ve ever played another piece like it.”

Beyond concerts, the Jazz Ensemble also competes in festivals and adjudicated events. This season, they received a Superior ranking in the Advanced Division, which is the best possibile in their division. Following the end of the season, the Jazz Ensemble and Combos had one last performance at West Ranch High School, called Super Jazz at the Ranch on May 17. 

“We are also upping our game with some pro-level arrangements,” Simon said. “I want the Jazz community to know that the members of the GHC Jazz Ensemble are playing music at a higher level where they could perform with musicians from the Los Angeles Jazz scene at jam sessions and actual gigs.”

Looking ahead, the program has ambitious plans for the next year. In addition to continuing their genre-blending work combining jazz and hip-hop, students will explore heavy Brazilian tracks sampled by Madlib for Mos Def. The ensemble will also collaborate with Dave Longstreth, leader of indie group Dirty Projectors, who is writing original music for them. They’ll be joined by the British Latin Jazz phenom,the new Regency Orchestra in this exciting endeavor where the ensemble will get to perform some of their brilliant Mambo arrangements.

“I think my goal for this year was to have fun, not only for myself, but to have fun with the seniors that are graduating this year, as I feel very close to most of them,” sophomore and trumpet player Jose Ramirez said.