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The Arts

Student Players Shine at Elmhurst Jazz Fest

By March 9, 2010November 16th, 2018No Comments

Kirkwood performers earn recognition, meet famed musicians

A group of Kirkwood Community College musicians recently, literally took their show on the road.

The 43rd annual Elmhurst College Jazz Festival/Chicago was held Feb. 26 through Feb. 28, 2010 and featured more than 40 colleges and universities throughout the United States. The Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I groups accepted an invitation to participate at this prestigious event where musicians are given an opportunity to hear and share music in an educational format.

Kirkwood Instrumental Jazz Director Tim Feldkamp led the groups in their festival performances. The students interacted with featured, nationally known guest artists in master class and clinic settings. Students also receive feedback regarding their performance from festival adjudicators Michael Davis, trombone; Phil Markowitz, piano; and Gary Smulyan, baritone sax.

Outstanding soloist awards presented to Kirkwood student musicians in the big band division went to Alex Kish, tenor sax; Joe Couture, alto sax; Blake Shaw, bass; and Zac Tatum, drums. An additional solo award also went to Blake Shaw in the jazz combo division. Along with learning from some of the greatest jazz musicians of the day, the festival featured the Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band from Los Angeles, plus performances by jazz stars Tom Scott, Bill Watrous and Wayne Bergeron.

The Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble served as Kirkwood musical ambassadors, performing at various high schools in eastern Iowa en route to the festival. The annual jazz festival is hosted by Elmhurst College on the near-west side of the Chicago metro.