Famous Pittsburgh guitarist Joe Negri to perform, instruct students during ‘JazzFest 2005’
Joe Negri, one of the most recognized names in Pittsburgh music circles and one of the finest jazz guitarists in the world, will perform on Friday, Feb. 25, when the Albert Gallatin High School Band Boosters present “JazzFest 2005. The event will feature jazz clinics for the participating students during the afternoon, followed by dinner for approximately 200.
The highlight of the event will be a jazz concert in the high school auditorium by members of all the participating bands. The concert is open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.
This year’s program will feature Negri, who will participate in a variety of clinics on jazz music for all the students in attendance. There will be a total of 10 music clinicians to instruct the students.
Negri will also perform with a combo made up of West Virginia University graduate students during the early part of the evening performance.
Well-known for his role as Handyman Negri on the “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood” television program that aired on PBS, Negri has appeared frequently with the Pittsburgh Symphony. He is also well remembered for his work on WTAE-TV in children’s programming.
Jennifer Morgan, president of the AG Band Boosters said, “In the short time we have been presenting these musical events, they were basically intended as fund-raisers,” said Jennifer Morgan, president of the Albert Gallatin Band Boosters. “However, we quickly realized that they are great educational tools for the students, and major musical contributions to the community.
“It gives the public an opportunity to witness top-notch entertainment at a low cost because we have very good corporate sponsors,” she added/
Jazz is the one art form that is altogether American. The PBS Web site for its film production of “JAZZ” says, “Jazz has been called the purest expression of American Democracy, a music built on individualism and compromise; independence and cooperation. Louis Armstrong was probably one of the most important and influential musicians in jazz history.”
Jazz music also produced famous musicians, such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman and a well-known local trombonist from Connellsville, Harold Betters. The accepted birthplace of jazz was in New Orleans. It then made big strides in New York starting around the turn of the century.
Ken Burns who produced “JAZZ” for PBS said, “Gerald Early told us that ‘when they study our civilization 2,000 years from now, there will only be three things that Americans will be known for – the Constitution, baseball and jazz music. They’re the three most beautiful things Americans have ever created.”
Since the birth of jazz, there have been more than two-dozen styles of jazz developed.
Jeremy Kendall is in his fourth year as the director of the Albert Gallatin High School Band Program. It is his fifth year as a teacher in the district.
Although Jeremy is a graduate of West Virginia University in music education, he said, “A lot of my music education came from being exposed in my early years to my dad’s band, Men of Chantz, and his very talented friends. They allowed me to experience their great talents and learn from them.”
His brother Jason Kendall assists Jeremy.
Together, they field the various bands that will participate for Albert Gallatin.
Jason, who teaches at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, is also a pianist at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa.
“This event has become far more than a fund-raiser,” Jason Kendall said. “It is a gigantic music education experience for every member of each band that is participating because a clinician with outstanding expertise will be working with each and every student.
“This year is very special because Joe Negri will be a headliner, and the kids will have had the opportunity to interact with him as well as graduate students from West Virginia University,” he added.
Both Kendall brothers said they love to perform, but it’s just great to be with the kids.
They will have high school students from Brownsville, Laurel Highlands, University High in Morgantown, as well as students from Albert Gallatin.
Each of the students will be able to showcase his or her talents in the evening performance and will receive inspiration by participating with someone like Joe Negri.
According to Bob Stevens, the treasurer for the band boosters, the events of the day will include gathering time in the Albert Gallatin Cafeteria at 2:30 p.m.
They will then be dispersed to the different clinics for training from the clinicians.
They will regroup in the cafeteria at 5 p.m. for dinner, after which they will prepare for the performance at 7 p.m.
Stevens said seats are still available.
Tickets are on sale at the high school office or at the door, but seating is limited.
For more information about “Jazz Fest 2005,” call 724-583-8234.
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