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Penncrest Jazz Lab

Penncrest Lab

The Jazz Lab is part of the Penncrest Jazz Program, which features two big bands and a combo. Membership is open to all Penncrest students regardless of experience or ability.


Rehearsals mercifully begin after the conclusion of the marching season. The objective of the program is to develop style, improvisation, and independent playing through the study of America’s Unique Art Form.


Penncrest is excited to perform once again at Jazz Night and would like to thank Mr. Thameen, our clinician/performers, and all the volunteers and students for providing us with a great experience.

PROGRAM

Director: Craig Snyder


Selection 1: Beyond the Sea

Composer/Arranger: Charles Trenet, Arr. Roger Holmes

Solos:

Rohan Gurnaney - alto sax


Selection 2: Norwegian Wood

Composer/Arranger: John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Arr. Michael Sweene

Solos: 

Ben Helms-Johnson - alto sax


Selection 3: There's the Rub

Composer/Arranger: Gordon Goodwin, Arr. Peter Blair

Solos:

Chris Teti - baritone sax


 

In 1959, Bobby Darin recorded an English version of Charles Trenet’s song La Mer. The original was a tribute to the sea, but Darin’s version was a love song, and it reached #6 on the Billboard charts in early 1960. Today’s audiences might recognize this from the closing credits of Finding Nemo. Roger Holmes’ arrangement maintains the swing style of the original while adding a few original twists and turns.


One of the Beatles’ many forays into folk music, the jazz waltz Norwegian Wood features a simple, repeatable melody and chord progression that have inspired many musicians and arrangers to create their own versions. Michael Sweeney’s was heavily influenced by the Buddy Rich Big Band version, and similarly features the trombone section.


One of today’s most successful and iconic composers of big band music is pianist Gordon Goodwin. His albums with the Big Phat Band have helped build the resurgence of big bands in popular music. There’s the Rub is from the band’s debut album Swingin For the Fences, and is a great example of slo-funk style.


Alto Sax

Ben Helms-Johnson 

Rohan Gurnaney

Austin Ernst

Jared Kaplan

Tenor Sax

Evan Goldstein

Donovan Truocchio

Trumpet

Chris Teti

Savannah Schmidt

Ethan Frey

Sophie Foster-Larner

Ben Werner

Trombone

Charles Davis

Beckett Strine

Mike Brechemin

Owen Meo

Piano

Nolan Doranz

Josephine Truocchio

Bass

Benji Wesley

Nigel Steager

Guitar

Nate Weinrich

Drums

Wayne Gavin

Ben Kinsley

Jeremy Lindenmuth

Director: Craig Snyder


Selection 1: Beyond the Sea

Composer/Arranger: Charles Trenet, Arr. Roger Holmes

Solos:

Rohan Gurnaney - alto sax


Selection 2: Norwegian Wood

Composer/Arranger: John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Arr. Michael Sweene

Solos: 

Ben Helms-Johnson - alto sax


Selection 3: There's the Rub

Composer/Arranger: Gordon Goodwin, Arr. Peter Blair

Solos:

Chris Teti - baritone sax


 

In 1959, Bobby Darin recorded an English version of Charles Trenet’s song La Mer. The original was a tribute to the sea, but Darin’s version was a love song, and it reached #6 on the Billboard charts in early 1960. Today’s audiences might recognize this from the closing credits of Finding Nemo. Roger Holmes’ arrangement maintains the swing style of the original while adding a few original twists and turns.


One of the Beatles’ many forays into folk music, the jazz waltz Norwegian Wood features a simple, repeatable melody and chord progression that have inspired many musicians and arrangers to create their own versions. Michael Sweeney’s was heavily influenced by the Buddy Rich Big Band version, and similarly features the trombone section.


One of today’s most successful and iconic composers of big band music is pianist Gordon Goodwin. His albums with the Big Phat Band have helped build the resurgence of big bands in popular music. There’s the Rub is from the band’s debut album Swingin For the Fences, and is a great example of slo-funk style.


Alto Sax

Ben Helms-Johnson 

Rohan Gurnaney

Austin Ernst

Jared Kaplan

Tenor Sax

Evan Goldstein

Donovan Truocchio

Trumpet

Chris Teti

Savannah Schmidt

Ethan Frey

Sophie Foster-Larner

Ben Werner

Trombone

Charles Davis

Beckett Strine

Mike Brechemin

Owen Meo

Piano

Nolan Doranz

Josephine Truocchio

Bass

Benji Wesley

Nigel Steager

Guitar

Nate Weinrich

Drums

Wayne Gavin

Ben Kinsley

Jeremy Lindenmuth

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