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Boardman band jazzes up the park
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The Boardman High School Jazz Ensemble Summer Edition, under the direction of Tom Ruggieri, performed at Boardman Park’s Maag Theatre Aug. 3.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Senior Katelyn DeLadurantey sang "Don’t Get Around Much Anymore" by Duke Ellington at the Boardman High School Jazz Ensemble Summer Edition concert Aug. 3 at Boardman Park.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Boardman High School Jazz Ensemble Summer Edition performed its second summer concert of the year at Boardman Park’s Maag Theatre Aug. 3 under the direction of Tom Ruggieri.
The concert was part of the ensemble’s third annual Summer Jazz Ensemble Series.
The Summer Jazz Ensemble was started three years ago as a tribute to West Coast horn band Tower of Power. The music of Tower of Power is a part of this year’s repertoire, but Ruggieri added many other band favorites from the past few years.
The group consists of sophomores, juniors and seniors who were in the BHS Jazz Ensemble I last school year and some who will be in the group this coming year. It also includes recent graduates. The students played instruments including trombones, trumpets, electric guitars, saxophones, drums and a flute.
The ensemble’s set included such songs at “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” “Sway,” “Hey Big Spender” and “Soul with a Capital S.”
“I am so lucky and so blessed to have kids who want to do this in the summer,” Ruggieri said.
Senior Katelyn DeLadurantey, 2010-11 president of the Boardman High School Band, sang “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” by Duke Ellington at the concert. She is also a vocalist and field conductor for the marching band and plays the mellophone and French horn.
“Singing with both groups is great. I have been blessed with a talent and have been lucky to able to use it. I am honored to be president of the band. It is very important to me and Mr. Ruggieri is great to work with. He is just awesome,” said DeLadurantey.
As Ruggieri danced on stage while conducting the ensemble, he invited the audience to the front of the stage to dance to the music, too.