A&E

MHCC hosts 30th anniversary jazz band competition

By Jon Fuccillo

The 30th anniversary of the MHCC NW Jazz Band Festival will offer a variety of jazz music from scholastic bands throughout the West as well as a highlighted performance by trombonist Wycliffe Gordon.

The band competition will be all day Saturday in five different venues of the school, including the College Center, the gym, the Visual Arts Theater, the music area and the College Theater. The festival runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a total of 89 middle school and high school jazz bands from as far as Spokane and Las Vegas to showcase their highly talented skills.

“I’m looking forward to everyone having a good time and making good music in this special event,” said Susie Jones, MHCC Jazz Band director. “Plus it’s free to the public and a good opportunity to hear some great jazz music.”

This year the festival has a special treat with Gordon’s performance. He is an accomplished trombone player who has a major impact and influence on the jazz world. Gordon has a long career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator. He is most noted for his hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz for audiences ranging from heads of state to elementary students. In 2002 and 2001 Gordon received the Jazz Journalists Association Award for trombonist of the year.

Gordon will perform twice Saturday. His first performance will be at noon in the Vista Dining Center, playing along with the Mel Brown Trio. Then at 5 p.m. in the gym, he will perform with the MHCC Jazz Band. “It’s such a great honor to have Wycliffe Gordon here to perform and put on a great show,” said Jones. “It’s going to be a good experience for our band to play alongside him.”

At about 6 p.m., after the performance of Gordon and the MHCC Jazz Band, awards will be given. Outstanding soloists, along with first, second, and third place in each division, will be announced. There will be no evening finals after the awards.