By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac Union High School Jazz Band's fourth annual "A Very Jazzy Christmas" Saturday night filled Beckwith Theatre to capacity.
Director Josh Bartz directs the band, offered as a three-time-a-week class at DUHS. The concert benefits the Band Boosters.
At some point in the program all 20 musicians, several of whom will be touring Europe next summer, took a solo, including one tune that handed off eight-bar improvisations from one section to another.
Bartz divides the program between uptempo horn charts and traditional holiday chestnuts roasted over a jazzy fire.
The black-clad band, wearing holiday ties and some Santa hats, opened with "Blue Mambo," featuring Jessica Hargett on keyboards and Bill Davis on drums.
"When the Saints Come Singin' In" was followed by "Southside Swingers" featuring Jordan Eby on trombone, Richard Reese on trumpet and Bill Davis on drums.
"Chili Pepper 101" featured Jordan Eby on trombone and Richard Reese on trumpet.
For "Autumn Leaves," David Nelson stepped behind the drum kit while Bill Davis soloed on vibraphone. Jessica Hargett added a keyboard solo.
"Mixed Bag" offered solos by Brooke Warner on also saxophone, Jordan Eby on trombone, Richard Reese on trumpet and Bill Davis on drums.
The jazzy portion closed with "Impact Zone," featuring Heather Oneill on tenor saxophone, Stephanie Muha on trombone and Bill Davis on drums.
Elizabeth Kolden on trumpet, Jordan Eby on trombone and Jessica Hargett on keyboard stepped out on "The Christmas Song."
"Good King Wenceslaus" spotlighted baritone saxophonist Caitlin Higgins.
Alto saxophonist Forrest Topping and trombonist Eric Morton soloed on "Jingle Bell Jam," followed by "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," featuring another saxophone solo by Forrest Topping and Justin Dodd on trumpet.
"Deck the Halls" contained a trumpet solo by Brendan Bressler.
The evening closed with "Joy to the World."
The musicians also included Andrew Murphy on tenor saxophone, Carly Gantt and Kayla Montgomery on trumpet, Mandy Swartz and Aislinn Frantz on trombone and, in the rhythm section, guitarist Jessica Robinson and bass guitarist Jon Richcreek.