Jazz just keeps going all year long at Boardman High School.  Director of Bands, Thomas M. Ruggieri decided last year to start a summer jazz ensemble with current, incoming, and recently graduated members of his top group, BHS Jazz Ensemble 1.

The band presented a concert last August in Boardman Park that was a tribute to West Coast rhythm and blues band Tower of Power.  That success prompted this year’s series of shows culminating August 23 at Mill Creek Park’s Morley Pavilion. Tower of Power is a big part of this year’s repertoire which also includes other band favorites from the past few years.

“It’s the energy and quality of the group that makes the performance,” says Ruggieri.  “Even if you don’t know some of the songs we play, you will still be entertained by the level of musicianship of my students and by the exciting arrangements.”

Many people think of jazz as long, drawn out instrumentals that are difficult to understand.  Ruggieri strives to make connections between music and listener by incorporating many vocal selections in the program..

Visit www.boardmanband.org for more information about the concert series and the Boardman Band and Jazz Program.