The Dolores Dore Eccles Fine Arts Center hummed harmoniously on the last day of the St. George Jazz Festival Feb. 8. From 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. there were performances from local middle and high schools, a jazz workshop and a performance from Etienne Charles and the Rebel Jazz Band.
Under the glowing spotlight, students from various schools came with their instrument of choice and performed for an audience. This was an opportunity to show how much they have learned and demonstrate their passion for what they do.
One of the main objectives of the jazz festival is to bring live music to St. George for students to enjoy; it is here that those who are curious about jazz can experience it at its highest level.
To accomplish this goal, the Rebel Jazz Band performed live to increase exposure to jazz music. They performed classical jazz music with a modern twist.
Jacob Blayton, a piano player from Pine View High School, explained how the festival can benefit those in attendance.
Blayton said: “I think it is a really good way, especially if you are not familiar with jazz, to learn about different types of music. I feel like all the different schools have different types of music and different types of jazz that they play, so it’s a really good way to learn about the different types.”
Tabitha Nygaard, the administrative coordinator of the St. George Jazz Festival, was one of three people to help plan the event. For the last five years, she has been the art specialist at Horizon Elementary, Majestic Fields Elementary and Little Valley Elementary.
Nygaard is a member of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, in which she plays the French horn and trumpet. She also runs a business called Last Chance Brass, where they recycle used and damaged instruments and repurpose them into art; she works hard to keep art in student’s lives.
Nygaard said, “It’s all about keeping jazz alive and keeping it in schools.”
At 7:30 p.m., Etienne Charles performed with the Rebel Jazz band. Charles is an associate professor of studio music and jazz at the University of Miami. One of the main themes in his music is exploring different cultures through music. Last year, Charles was No. 1 for airplay on the 2024 JazzWeek Top 100 chart.
Glenn Webb, director of percussion and jazz studies at Utah Tech, associate professor of music, and associate dean for College of the Arts, plays the percussion and vibraphone. He played the drums during Charles’ performance.
Webb said, “We bring in this guest artist every year… so there’s a chance for [students] to interact with a world-class player and educator to supplement what we do here on campus.”
The audience went home in a daze that night as the jazz festival met its conclusion. After a full day of jazz performances from local schools and clinic sessions to learn new skills, the event closed with a musical send-off from renowned Charles.
