Jazz

Most years we have also formed jazz bands or combos at West St. Paul School, but they happen outside of the regular school timetable and are a little different each year. Two years ago we formed one big band and two jazz combos. This year we had two big bands all year.

Although you can play music in swing, Latin and pop/rock styles on pretty much any instrument you choose, some instruments are more common in jazz combos and big bands. The dance bands, or big bands, of the swing era are the model for a lot of published music for schools. A standard chart for these groups would include music for 5 saxophones (2 altos, 2 tenors and a baritone), 3 to 5 trumpets, 3-5 trombones and a rhythm section (1 piano, 1 guitar, 1 bass and 1 drum set). A variety of other instruments are also used, but more often in small group settings. Using standard instrumentation means that there is a lot of good music that is already published, and many great role models from whom we can learn.

the Big Band

For some students the same instrument that they use in band class fits naturally into the jazz band. These students spend their time and energy working / playing with different musical styles and with improvisation.

Some of the students learn to play a second instrument so that they can be part of a jazz band here at school. We have had flute and clarinet players learn to play saxophone as a second instrument so that they could play in the jazz band. We have had players learn trumpet or trombone when that was not their first instrument. Students who do this have to be ready to do a lot of learning about their new instrument on their own time.

the Jazz Combo

Another way to work with non-standard instruments is to form a jazz combo. Music can be lead sheets, which have a tune that we would memorize and use as a basis for improvised solos. Combos at West St. Paul School have  included saxophone, trumpet, French horn, clarinet, flute, piano and drum set.

These groups are generally smaller in size than the big band.

Performances

WSP jazz groups have performed here at school , at the Brandon Jazz Festival and at Springfest in Regina.

For more information try the WSP Band Index.

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