Jazz/swing night benefits Quincy music program
The swinging sounds of jazz filled Serpilio Hall at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds on Jan. 26 as the Quincy musical community came out in support of Jazz/Swing Night, a fundraiser for the Quincy Music Program organized by sophomore Tristan McMichael.
The show opened with the combined Quincy Junior-Senior High School Band (and guests) playing “Oye Como Va,” a Latin jazz classic by Tito Puente, then moved on to other songs by Mancini, Herbie Hancock and Vernon Duke.
After The Bombastic Strings and the Soulstice Strings took the stage with some Beatles tunes and a little Van Morrison, Johnene McDonald returned to direct the High Sierra Community Orchestra with a variety of songs from jazz to the more rock-edged.
Changing up the pace was Chris Retallack and Keely Nesbit with their acoustic group Passive & Co.
More performances followed by Dos Amigos, Marty Walters, Cameron Scully, Millie Newlove and vocalist Elijah Barnes-Jauch. Natalie Kepple and Friends brought their well known combination of folk, pop, and jazz to the stage, and Tristan McMichael helped close out the show with a solo saxophone performance of “Harlem Nocturne” and “Just The Two of Us.” Freewind led the jam session as everyone helped clean up.
In addition to admission by donation, the music program offered ‘upcycled’ instrument crafts for the silent auction and a wide variety of drawing prizes which were donated by generous local merchants. Local businesses and organizations also helped sponsor the event and pay for the venue.
The event raised over $2,700 for the Quincy Music Program fund which helps pay for instrument repairs, supplies, music and other needs for both Quincy Elementary and Quincy High school’s music programs.
