 OVERVIEW
The Straw Hats
Jazz Band is a group of young musicians from Buchser Middle
School in Santa Clara, who play classic jazz and swing. This
popular and accomplished group performs at many Bay Area events
throughout the year. The band has also been featured at the
Sacramento Jazz Jubilee for three years, and in April 2004
the band wowed audiences with their performances at the World
Projects Music Festival in the French Quarter area of New
Orleans.
Straw Hats Jazz Band
Ms. Elizabeth Hunter, Band Director
PHOTO GALLERY
BACKGROUND
Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, 2003
Click on thumbnail to enlarge ...
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In 1998 the South Bay Traditional Jazz Society embarked
on a project to form an after-school youth band, with
the aim of sparking an interest in the youngsters, and
their parents, in early jazz. The repertoire would be
comprised of songs from the 1895 to 1940 period, divided
about evenly between classic jazz and swing. The band
would include several vocalists and a dancer or two
to present some of the 1920s dances as an art form.
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Middle school students
were selected because they have open minds and are willing
to listen and learn. The target school was the Buchser Middle
School in Santa Clara, which is acclaimed for its music programs.
Both the Society and the School agreed to provide infrastructure;
funding was sought and obtained from corporate programs.
The band was named
the Straw Hats Jazz Band. Interest and capability grew slowly
but steadily. The head music tutor at the school was appointed
Band Director. It was decided to use a team concept-namely
15 members, two for each instrument position so as to provide
continuity despite schedule conflicts and absences. When at
full strength, the musicians share equally in program performance.
Currently the band is supplemented by a few alumni who now
attend Santa Clara High School.
Over the past five years this group
has gained a reputation as a highly regarded entertainment
band. Today, the band is booked a year in advance at venues
and events coveted by professional bands. The Straw Hats need
and welcome donations to defray substantial operating expenses
but-schedule permitting-the band will always play for a worthy
civic or fund-raising event. Expressions of interest or support
can be made to the Band Director, Ms. Elizabeth Hunter (hsupersax@hotmail.com).
Revised: June 22, 2004
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