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Boardman High School Jazz Ensemble to open for world-famous Buddy Rich Big Band
BOARDMAN
When Boardman Band Director Tom Ruggieri was growing up, his mom used to joke to him that someday he’d take the stage with Buddy Rich, the legendary jazz drummer.
Ruggieri never did get to play with Rich before the big-band leader died in 1987, but on Saturday that dream will come as close to true as possible: Ruggieri will direct the high-school jazz ensemble (in which his own son plays) as it opens with a 40-minute set before a Buddy Rich Big Band concert featuring Rich’s daughter, Cathy, as singer and Emmy-award-winning drummer Gregg Potter at Edward W. Powers Auditorium.
“That makes it just so cool. It makes me realize how we’re all connected as human beings, and how we’re definitely connected as musicians,” Ruggieri said.
The opportunities like this that his students have had is almost unheard of nowadays, he said.
“It’s a rarity to even hear of a touring big band, and these guys have gotten to open for two of them,” Ruggieri said, noting that three years ago the high-school jazz ensemble opened for Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band.
“I feel really honored to be able to play with a band with the name of the world’s best drummer. Even in death, he’s considered the best,” said trumpet-player Michael Mitchum, vice president of the high-school band.
“I’m excited, because you share the stage with the best musicians, who have played with the best, and who have done everything you want to do,” said band president Nico Ruggieri, who is Tom’s son. “Opening up for people who have done millions of shows, it’s pretty exciting knowing we’re one of them.”
The chance came about thanks to a fortuitous airport meeting between Cathy Rich and the owner of Hubbard Music. The two then met again at a trade show a few weeks later, and struck up a friendship.
The Youngstown show came to be after Rich mentioned that she still had the rights to her father’s music and wanted to plan some appearances for the band. Hubbard Music, along with the high-school jazz program, Premier Tour & Travel and Compco Industries, is a sponsor of the concert.
The high-school ensemble has been hard at work preparing for the show. It tackled some of the Buddy Rich Big Band’s hits, and other classic big-band tunes, during a recent rehearsal. The music swelled in booming, electrifying notes as Ruggieri moved around the room, tapping his toes, clapping his hands and calling out directions.
“I can’t imagine that the Buddy Rich band is going to play it any different than that. How can they groove and swing more than that?” he said at the end of one spirited number.
The group also has been preparing for another big event – the 16th annual BHS Jazz Fest next Monday. The event will feature BHS Jazz Ensembles 1, 2 and 3 and special guest artist Mike Tomaro. Jazz Ensemble 1 will premiere a composition by Tomaro titled “Touch the Sun.”
Ruggieri urges community members to turn out for both shows.
“Every musician needs to go see this concert, especially drummers,” he said of the Buddy Rich concert.
“Live music is important. Anytime you get a chance to share it and support it, you need to,” Nico said.