Report from the 2015 Berklee Jazz Festival

On Saturday, January 31, 2015 Berklee’s 47th annual High School Jazz Festival, the largest of its kind in the U.S., hosted more than 200 ensembles featuring 3,000 students from 13 states and Puerto Rico.  Members of theWaynflete Upper School Jazz Ensemble and Combo were thrilled to participate!

The Combo presented tunes by Michael Abene, Johnny Green and George Benson and finished 10th in the Small Ensemble/Combo, Class S4 division.  Jacob Hagler ’15 was recognized as the group’s top performer with the Judge’s Choice Award!

Upper School Jazz Combo Members

Julian Abbott ’18 – Tenor Sax

Chris Bergeron ’16 – Drums

Eliza Cox ’18 – Alto Sax

Ali Ghorashi ’15 – Piano

Jacob Greene ’18 – Baritone Sax

Jacob Hagler ’15 – Guitar

Julia Hansen ’18 – Upright Bass

Julian Ireland ’15 – Tenor Sax

The Upper School Jazz Ensemble played selections by Matt Harris, Jerome Kern and Johnny Hodges and received a score only nine percentage points shy of placing!  Their finish was 13th in the highly competitive Large Ensemble, Class L6 division.

Freshman sensation Julian Abbott ’18 was recognized as the ensemble’s top performer with the Judge’s Choice Award.

Waynflete Upper School Jazz Ensemble Berklee Festival Participants:

Julian Abbott ’18 – Tenor Sax

Chris Bergeron ’16 – Drums

Andrew Clark ’18 – Electric Bass

Eliza Cox ’18 – Alto Sax

Stephen Epstein ’15 – Electric Bass

Matt Foshay ’17 – Alto Sax

Owen Gervais ’17 – Guitar

Ali Ghorashi ’15 – Piano

Jacob Greene ’18 – Baritone Sax

Jacob Hagler ’15 – Guitar

Nick Hagler ’18 – Drums

Sam Harbison ’16 – Clarinet

Julian Ireland’ 15 – Tenor Saxophone

Gavi King ’15 – Alto Sax

Leeza Kopaeva ’18 – Clarinet

Elisabeth Lualdi ’17 – Flute

Sophia Mayone ’17 – Trombone

Liam McNiff ’16 – Piano

Toby Nye ’17 – Electric Bass

Matt Ogwudiegwu ’18 – Drums

Bodhi Small ’18 – Guitar

Nick Wagg ’18 – Trumpet

Alan Wen ’18 – Alto Sax

Atia Werah ’18 – Videographer

At the awards ceremony that evening, Julian went on to receive an Outstanding Musicianship Award as one of the top four performers in the Large Ensemble, Class L6 division!