Ballard High School Jazz Band will hit the stage at Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz concert at the Paramount Theatre (911 Pine Street) on March 22nd. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for a 7 p.m. show and general tickets can be purchased through the Seattle Theatre Group website.
Since 1995, Hot Java Cool Jazz has been held annually to raise money for the participating schools’ music programs. Over $50, 000 in proceeds from last year’s event went directly to the schools and over the 17 year course of the event over $300, 000 has been raised to allow local high schools to continue to provide high quality music education. This year BHS will perform alongside musicians from Garfield, Edmonds-Woodway, Mountlake Terrace and Roosevelt High Schools.
Buy your tickets from Ballard Starbucks (corner of 22nd Ave NW and Market St) before this Sunday, March 17, and all proceeds from the ticket will go towards BHS Performing Arts. After Sunday, BHS proceed ticket inquiries can be emailed to Jazz Band parent Ann Lee at eannleemsw@yahoo.com.
BHS Jazz Band is an important part of the music program at Ballard High School. The band has many opportunities throughout the year to perform at local concerts including Earshot Jazz Festival and Essentially Ellington. The band is also fortunate to have mentor and coach Saxophonist Gary Hammon assisting them during rehearsals. Hammon studied at New England Conservatory of Music, toured with organist Big John Patton and recorded Fangs in 2005 with saxophonist Hadley Caliman.
To find out more about the Jazz Band program at Ballard High School click here. Check out a video of BHS Jazz Band in concert here.
