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the top 3 jazz?

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 8:38 pm
by lord hornblower
who, in your opinion, are the top 3 jazz ensembles in Northern California, and the top 3 from Southern California?

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 9:06 pm
by saxGuy89
for So. Cal i would have to say

El Dorado (Placentia)
Long Beach Poly
Hamilton

In No. Cal i know that Folsom and Davis are very good

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 8:37 pm
by Hostrauser
Folsom HS and Franklin HS (Stockton) have long been jazz powerhouses in NorCal, though there are others. El Camino HS in Sacramento also has an excellent jazz program.

Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 11:21 pm
by gangemi
SoCal...in no particular order
El Dorado
Etiwanda
Agoura
Long Beach Poly

NorCal...in no particular order
Folsom (AMAZING!!!)
Rio Americano
Folsom (so good I had to mention them twice)

Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:31 pm
by musiclife
BUCHANAN......

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 6:54 pm
by WildMooseStyle
Hemet HS

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:28 pm
by Jsaxm
Wow, I was pretty amazed that no one put Hemet on their list until the last post. I am also kind of suprised that Esperanza doesn't appear on here anywhere. I think it is kind of hard to narrow it down to three groups when we have so many good jazz bands around this area.

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:43 pm
by Hostrauser
Holy back from the dead, batman!

So, Jsaxm, what are your Top 3?

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:48 pm
by Jsaxm
Well, if you are going to pin me down and make me choose, I would have to say that my top three would be El Dorado, Hemet, and Esperanza. Things could change, I haven't been to festival yet this year, but for the most part these groups are pretty consistent in the top of their divisions.

I actually grew up in Hemet, went to West Valley HS, the cross town rival, but I taught private lessons to some of the Hemet kids when I was in college, and also had the opportunity to play against, and with the Hemet jazz band. They are a very developed program and have a lot to offer, I think, though, that district financial obligations are starting to get the better of them. The rest of the district has been slowly suffering, but Hemet was always able to hang on, mostly due to the talented kids and the abilities and political savy of their director, Jeff Tower. I hope they are able to continue battling through and keep a quality program like they have had for many years.

Here's a blast from the past, I remember when Eagle Rock and Hart also used to be in the Heavy division giving Hemet and Hamilton a run for their money. I haven't heard much about them lately, other than the great marching program that Hart has. Heck, I remember when I was in school there was not only one advanced division, but you could choose between advanced I (just above intermediate) or advanced II (just below heavy). Yeah, that was a little while ago....

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:00 pm
by Bandmaster
I remember back in the 1980's Pioneer Junior High here in Upland was an outstanding program. They used to be invited to play at the Playboy Jazz Festival every year. And back many years ago (1960's and 70's) the Seal Beach Elementary School jazz band kicked some major booty. They had a huge reputation back when I was a student in the Long Beach State music department.

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:55 pm
by Jsaxm
I remeber the Pioneer jazz band. Jill Geist used to be the director there, they had a phenominal program.

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 1:01 pm
by Bandmaster
Jsaxm wrote:I remeber the Pioneer jazz band. Jill Geist used to be the director there, they had a phenominal program.
I am talking about before Jill, I believe she took over in the 1990's. She maintained it somewhat but she didn't build it. The guy that was there got caught up in a sex scandal and had the make a quick exit. But he created an awesome jazz program.

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 1:06 pm
by Jsaxm
Oh, I didn't know that. Good info.

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 1:44 pm
by Hostrauser
Bandmaster wrote:The guy that was there got caught up in a sex scandal and had the make a quick exit.
Well, I mean, if he was taking them to the Playboy Jazz Festival all the time... ;)

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:16 pm
by Wildabeast
How is Hamilton these days?