UAF Jazz Festival showcases Valley talent

When it comes to producing the sweet sounds of jazz, there's no place like the far north.

Several Valley bands, ranging from middle schoolers to the community band, Just Playin' Jazz, made the trip to Fairbanks for the 16th annual University of Alaska Fairbanks Jazz Festival. They came home with scholarships, awards and a fresh new look at music.

"I know that since my jazz band got back, they've been absolutely possessed," said Palmer High School music director Stan Harris. "It's like their playing abilities went up one level without ever playing a note. They are jazzed."

Local bands participating included those from Colony High School, Colony Middle School, Palmer High School, Wasilla High School and Wasilla Middle School, as well as Just Playin' Jazz, a group comprised of students from around the Valley. Local jazz choirs participating represented Colony Middle School and Palmer High School.

The festival has been put on by the University of Alaska Fairbanks for 16 years. It includes featured artists, workshops and critiques for bands and choirs and open concerts. This year's featured artists were bassist/jazz vocalist Kristin Korb, jazz vocal master clinician Frank DeMiero, drummer Ryan Korb, trombonist Ron Wilkins and saxophonist Marty Fettig, as well as UAF professors and faculty members. One highlight this year was the jam session at Pike's Waterfront Lodge.

"These kids get to work with professionals, they get to work one on one with experts and they get to see and hear other bands in concerts," Harris said. "It's a valuable experience for them just being there. They were so excited. It was amazing."

At the end of the festival, an honor band is chosen. This year, half of the honor band was represented by Valley musicians. Leading the way was Ryan Brown, a Wasilla High School and Just Playin' Jazz student, who received a UAF camp scholarship and a scholarship to attend UAF.

Brown was named to the honor band for his bass talent.

Other Valley selections were Andrea Allen (PHS), alto II saxophone; Sawyer Collins (WHS, Just Playin' Jazz), trumpet II; T.J. Nalesnick (CHS), trumpet V; Jessica Lear (CHS, Just Playin' Jazz), trombone II; Adam Berg (CHS), piano; and Martin Kenny (PHS), guitar. In the honor choir, Emma Hill, LouAnne Harris and Amy Courson of Palmer were selected as altos, while Charles Kneffelkamp of Palmer earned the honor in the bass category. Megan McGee of Palmer was selected as a soprano, and Keith Kenley, Hal Willardson and Joel Carrick of Palmer were selected tenors.