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Fitch Jazz Fest is a family affair
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Matt Matasy (front), a senior at Austintown Fitch High School, played drums with his father and grandfather at the Spring Jazz Festival May 7.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.The Austintown Fitch jazz band, directed by Wes O'Connor, begin the spring festival with "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" by Mercer Ellington and Ted Persons.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.The Austintown Middle School jazz ensemble, conducted by Marc Pupino, played "Mission Impossible," arranged by Michael Sweeney, at the Fitch Spring Jazz Festival May 7.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Austintown Fitch band director, Wes O'Connor (right), played "Indiana" by Ballard MacDonald and James Hanley, with his father, Ted, at the Spring Jazz Festival May 7.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Matt, Bob and Al Matasy, three generations of drummers, played on the same stage at the Austintown Fitch Spring Jazz Festival May 7.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Twin sisters Mariah (left) and Miranda DeFurio played together on "Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincy Jones at the Spring Jazz Festival May 7.
The Austintown Fitch Spring Jazz Festival featured performances from the Fitch jazz band with members of their families May 7. The highlight of the festival was an a performance by Matt Matasy with his father, Bob, and grandfather Al. The three drummers performed solos to the tune “Cute” by Neal Hefti, arranged by Mike Story. The solos featured a drum battle between Matt and Bob, while Al kept the tempo.
“It was unreal to play with my father and son,” said Al Matasy. “The magical thing for me is that we have put three drummers together to play that would only be able to do this once in a lifetime and I really want to thank Wes O’Connor for that opportunity. For us to play simultaneously, it was thrilling.”
Both Al and Bob Matasy have had very successful careers in drumming, including many Grammy nominations and CD releases. Al is retired from drumming, but Bob will soon come out of retirement to begin new projects.
The jazz festival also offered performances from brothers Zach and Alex While and brothers A.J. and Bill Rusu on “Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson, twin sisters Mariah and Miranda DeFuria on “Soul Bossa Nova” by Quincy Jones, and Fitch band director Wes O’Connor with his father, Ted, on “Indiana” by Ballard MacDonald and James Hanley.