Celebrating jazz Northwest style

By AMY STAPLES

More than 90 Northwestern jazz groups will converge on Mt. Hood Community College Saturday for a day of music, learning and sharing.

The festival, free of charge for the community, will give musicians and music-lovers a chance to experience different styles of jazz across the campus.

MHCC Jazz Band trombone player Josh Bennett attended the festival as a student at Barlow High School. He said, “It’s interesting to come back as part of the group that’s hosting it. People don’t realize how big [NW Jazz Festival] is, and it’s in their own backyard.”

The festival is significant to the Northwest because high schools and middle schools from Oregon, Washington and Idaho will be performing, giving the musicians a chance to see how they measure up with their peers. Bennett said, “There are a lot of smaller events and competitions, but nothing on this scale.”

MHCC’s Jazz Band is performing at 5 p.m. in the gymnasium, and is playing with special guests Stan Bock on trombone, Bryan Dickerson on saxophone, and Jamey Aebersold, also a saxophonist. Jazz Band Director Susie Jones said, “It’s significant that we’re bringing in Jamey Aebersold. He’s a world-renowned educator and musician.” Aebersold is flying in from Illinois and will also be holding clinics on jazz improvisation this weekend. The music starts Saturday morning and the event is scheduled to end at 6 p.m.