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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.The eight-grade Jazz Ensemble performed at the Boardman High School annual Jazz Fest on March 27 at the Boardman Performing Arts Center.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Boardman Jazz Ensemble 2 was joined by Boardman High School alumnus, Joe Graziosi, during the annual Jazz Fest on March 28.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.One of the students in Jazz Ensemble 3 performed a solo during the Boardman High School Jazz Fest at the Boardman Performing Arts Center on March 28.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Patrick Kale sang various songs throughout the Jazz Fest on March 28 at the Boardman Performing Arts Center.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Special guest, Joe Graziosi, performed a solo with the Boardman High School Jazz Ensemble 2 during Jazz Fest on March 28.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Hundreds of fans gathered to the Boardman Performing Arts Center on March 28 for the 17th annual Boardman High School Jazz Fest.
Four jazz ensembles, including the eighth-grade group who kicked off the show, performed a variety of jazz songs for the audience. Jazz Ensemble 2 had special guest, Joe Graziosi, playing the tenor saxophone with them. There were 96 students in the jazz ensembles with several students who play in more than one of them.
Grazioso is a BHS alumnus who graduated in 2006 and went on to pursue his dream of having a career as a musician. Having Grazioso wasn’t planned very far ahead of time making it a special surprise for the students and guests.
The jazz ensembles were directed by Thomas Ruggieri who has worked with the students almost every day to make Jazz Fest a success. Several students met every school day, while the others only met one or two times a week.
“I know why I call these guys and girls my kids, because they’re just like my children. I love them that much and I’m so proud when they go out into the world and do things like what Joe is doing, being a great musician and a great human being,” said Ruggieri.
The Jazz ensembles, along with other Boardman bands, are constantly attended different events around Ohio to show how much pride they have for their school and the organization. Jazz Ensemble 2 played at the Pinwheels for Prevention at Boardman Park on April 3.
For more opportunities to see the Boardman bands play, visit www.boardmanband.org to see a list of their upcoming performances.