43
Boardman High ensemble to perform at B.B. King’s NYC club
By Denise Dick
Boardman High School ensemble scheduled to perform at B.B. King’s club
By DENISE DICK
BOARDMAN
Patti LaBelle, Nancy Wilson, Al Green and the Boardman High School Jazz Ensemble I — they have more in common than just music.
Members of the ensemble will perform May 14 at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City, a venue usually reserved for bigger-name acts.
“We were invited to play there,” explained D.J. Colella, 18, a senior trombone player with the group.
“It’s really an honor,” added Eric Schilling, 17, a senior who plays trumpet.
Senior Jamie Massaro, 18, sees the performance as an exciting opportunity because it’s a chance for Jazz Ensemble I members to take a long trip together. Usually, trips for jazz members stay closer to home.
Drummer Joe Amadio, 16, a sophomore, also looks forward to the trip.
At a rehearsal last week, Thomas Ruggieri, director of bands, clapped his hands, hummed the music and tapped his feet to guide the young musicians through “You’re The Boss.”
“Make the eighth note on the downbeat,” he said. “Ready? Last measure.”
The next number was “Diggin’ on James Brown.”
“You know ‘Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag?’” Ruggieri asked the ensemble’s guitarist.
The student shook his head.
Ruggieri and two or three other students sang the “diga-diga-diga” guitar part of the James Brown classic to instruct the young man.
Plans for the trip started last fall when the Boardman Spartan Marching Band participated in the Veterans Day Parade in New York City.
Since the Jazz Ensemble I members are in the marching band too, Ruggieri inquired from the tour company if there was any place where the jazz musicians could play.
The tour company lined up a lunchtime performance at Trump Tower.
“They cleared out some of the tables, and we played for about 40 minutes in front of the water wall,” Ruggieri said.
Donald Trump’s executive assistant even took in the show, he said.
“NYC Group Tours told us, ‘We see a lot of jazz groups, and you are, by far, the best. We want you back,’” Ruggieri said.
The tour company lined up the club on West 42nd Street.
The school includes three jazz ensembles, their respective membership based on experience and skill level.
“Jazz I is the premiere group,” Ruggieri said. There are about 25 members.
Ensembles I and II meet daily as part of the school schedule.
“We’re very blessed to have that,” the director said.
Jazz III meets after school three days per week.
Some members of II and III also are making this month’s trip to the Big Apple to participate in workshops.
Jazz I members will perform seven songs in a set lasting about 45 minutes. The selections include “Big Spender [Peggy Lee, Shirley Bassey etc.],” “Diggin’ on James Brown [Tower of Power],” “Peg [Steely Dan],” “Fantasy [Earth, Wind & Fire]” and “You’re the Boss [B.B. King, Brian Setzer Orchestra, etc.].”
Ruggieri and the young musicians chose the selections based on their proficiency with the songs and on audience appeal.
“That’s why I put some vocal numbers in there,” he said.
Junior Katelyn DeLaduranty provides the vocals on “Big Spender,” and junior Stephen Brooks, 17, who normally plays trumpet, lays down his horn and picks up a microphone on “Diggin’ on James Brown.”
Colella harmonizes with Brooks, providing backup vocals on the latter tune.
“Even though I sing on ‘Diggin’ with James Brown,’ I really like ‘Peg’ and ‘You’re the Boss,’” Brooks said. “They both sound really good.”