By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Union High School's Jazz Band roasted some chestnuts Friday night at Beckwith Theatre.
For its third capacity concert of 2004 at the Beckwith, "A Very Jazzy Christmas," Director Joshua Bartz's 21-piece ensemble blew in with "legitimate jazz," such as "Groovin' Hard," "Over the Rainbow," "Down by the Riverside," Van Morrison's "Moondance" and "Birdland," then segued into holiday spirit with "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Good King Wenceslas," "Jingle Bell Jam," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad."
An encore of "Deck the Halls" featured Justin Dodd on trumpet.
Band members replaced their purple neckwear with holiday ties.
Some donned Santa hats.
Eby was also featured on "Down by the Riverside," along with trumpet soloists Richard Reese and Celeste Stoker.
True-Little was in the spotlight again on "Birdland" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas," which also featured alto saxophonist Kelsey Parmley and trumpeter Rose Middleton, "Good King Wenceslas," "Jingle Bell Jam" and "Feliz Navidad."
Bartz's players also include: Heather Oniell, alto sax; Mandy Smith, tenor sax; Laura Kroboth, baritone sax; Jake Crowl, trumpet and bass guitar; Candis Schonekas, Jason Smith and Stephanie Muha, trombones; Bill Davis, drums; and Billy Wong, guitar.
Bartz thanked: the Beckwith and Rich Frantz; Dowagiac Band Boosters for ticket sales; and Dowagiac Union Schools for supporting the arts, for making the first holiday jazz band concert possible.