by Tom Ruggieri

Friday, June 5 at 7:00 PM in the Boardman High School Cafeteria will be your last chance this school year to experience the amazing jazz program at Boardman High School.  The annual Spring Jazz Concert will feature the BHS Jazz Ensembles 1, 2, and 3 all under the direction of Thomas M. Ruggieri.  Crowds at this year’s concerts have been treated to exciting, high-quality performances in a wide variety of jazz styles.  This concert will uphold that tradition.

Another tradition of the Spring Jazz Concert is that it is held NOT in the Performing Arts Center, but in the BHS Cafeteria.  Mr. Ruggieri is often approached by puzzled fans as to why the concert is not held in the Performing Arts Center.  He says, “We like a more relaxed setting for this concert; one in which listeners can enjoy refreshments like pizza, popcorn, and soft drinks during the show.  I’ve also had more people tell me they like the closeness and energy of the bands that they cannot feel in the auditorium.”

Selections to be performed include:  “Topsy,” “Knock On Wood,” “Mr. Pinstripe Suit,” “Fool On The Hill,” “Zoot Suit Riot,” “Land of Make Believe,” “Teen Town,” and “Well You Needn’t.”  Vocal selections have been a big hit at Boardman Jazz Concerts.  This concert will feature 2008 graduate Mark Brooks on “I Like Your Style” by Tower of Power.

This will be the last official jazz concert for the senior members of the ensembles.  They are:  Vince Bertolini, Adam DeAscentis, Derek Higham, Mark Modarelli, Carley Petch, Blair Peterson, Josh Prest, Zack Roush, James Salus, Rachel Stanko, Jina Vitullo, Vinny Vivacqua, and Chloe Zidian.  Many of them will be prominently featured throughout the concert.

This concert is the culmination of a very busy year for the Jazz Ensembles.  In addition to the Holiday Jazz Concert and the BHS Jazz Fest, the groups have performed at the Jewish Community Center, the Pinwheels for Prevention event, many home basketball games, the Relay for Life, and at Fat Fish Blue in Cleveland.  “It won’t end with this concert,” says Ruggieri.  “We plan on expanding on last year’s Summer Jazz Ensemble.”  At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, Ruggieri and his students decided to get together for rehearsals after school was out and present a concert of Tower of Power music.  They performed in Boardman Park in early August.  The Summer Jazz Ensemble is open to all current and recently graduated members of Jazz Ensemble 1 as well as upcoming students who will be in the top group next year.  A performance is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4 in Boardman Park.  Watch for announcements about other local performances.

The Spring Jazz Concert is Friday, June 5, at 7:00 PM in the Boardman High School Cafeteria (enter through the Performing Arts Center entrance at the north side of the building).  Admission at the door is $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for students.  Senior citizens are admitted free of charge.  Pizza, popcorn, soft drinks, and bottled water will be sold.