56th Pops & Jazz Concert Showcases Local Talent

The 56th annual production of Pops 'n Jazz, featuring Hall High School's acclaimed jazz bands, dancers, and singers, opens March 14, with additional performances March 15, 20, 21 and 22. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

Home of one of the nation’s top high school jazz programs, Hall High has produced the musical extravaganza known as Pops 'n Jazz since 1958, when the show was originated by former band director Bill Stanley. Hall was one of the first high schools in the United States to integrate jazz into its daily curriculum, and Hall students have performed around the world.

Pops ’n Jazz 2014 features more than 100 student performers, the school's Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Dancers, and Choraliers (jazz singers). The program, which varies slightly each night, provides an array of American jazz classics from all eras, performed in big band and combo settings, highly choreographed jazz productions, and featured solo performances. The show offers an eclectic blend of music, ranging from traditional and progressive jazz to pop-rock and Broadway.

In addition to the student performances, invited guests from the ranks of professional musicians appear on selected evenings supported by the Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust.  This year, featured guests include Jeff Holmes on March 15, Richie Barshay on March 20 and Michael Mossman and Mayte on March 21.

Showcasing up-and-coming young talent from King Philip Middle School, This year's guests include KP Singers (March 14 & 22), Elementary All Stars (March 15), KP Jazz Band (March 20) and KP 6th Dimension (March 21),

Pops ’n Jazz is produced by retired Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts, Haig Shahverdian, and Jazz bands are directed by John Mastroianni, Hall High’s Director of Bands. The Jazz Singers are under the direction of Vocal Director Lorri Cetto, the Jazz Dancers are under the direction of choreographer, Bryan Smith, and the stage crew and set construction are coordinated by Technical Director Steven Magro. Lighting design and staging are under the direction of Eileen Shahverdian.  Costumes are coordinated by Kathy Kuckens and Judi Houpert.  Technical theatre and stagecraft students are responsible for set construction, as well as stage management, lighting and audio. Additional assistance is provided by Hall High parents, teachers and staff.

The West Hartford Public Schools have received the Kennedy Center Award for Excellence in Arts Education in recognition of their program. The Hall Concert Jazz Band has performed at the White House, has repeatedly been invited to the Essentially Ellington Competition at Lincoln Center, and has repeatedly won first place at the Berklee School of Music Jazz Festival in Boston. The Concert Jazz Band won the Downbeat award for “Best Big Band” for 2004-05. Hall’s Jazz Singers placed first at the 2003 Berklee Jazz Festival.

Hall Concert Jazz Band alumni include renowned jazz musicians Richie Barshay (drums), Joel Frahm (tenor sax), Brad Mehldau (piano), Erica von Kleist (alto sax), Peter McGuinness (trombone), Noah Preminger (tenor sax), Patrick Zimmerli (tenor sax), and Gregg Kallor (piano).

Through the years, the Concert Jazz Band has performed with some of the finest jazz artists in the world, including Phil Woods, Wynton Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Randy Brecker, Jimmy Heath, Bob Mintzer, Marvin Stamm, Dionne Warwick, Kurt Elling, Curtis Fuller, and the Count Basie and Woody Herman Orchestras.

Ticket prices are $13 until March 8th. After March 8th, ticket prices will be $16. Tickets can also be purchased at the Hall High Box Office (975 North Main Street, West Hartford) at these times. (as of Monday, February 24th) Monday - Friday, from 11am - 2:30pm; (as of February 25th) Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 7 - 8:30pm; (as of March 1st) Saturdays from 11am - 1pm. For more information, call the Pops 'n Jazz hotline at 860-232-4561, Ext. 1856, or visit www.hallhighjazz.com.  Tickets may also be purchased on-line via our web site!  

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