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Concert Series Showcases Local Youth Musicians
Jazz pix

The St. James Concert Series will continue later this month at The Red Church in Sonora, with a performance by the group Jazz @ 8 and the winners of the Sierra Music Scholarships.

This will be the second concert in the 2016-2017 season and is set for Sunday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m.

Jazz @ 8 is a select group of advanced vocal students from Summerville High School and Connections Academy. The group started in 1989 with members of Summerville High’s Jazz Choir, brought together and directed by Jim Wells.

This group has received numerous awards over the years, including first-place finishes in the Reno International Jazz Festival, the Folsom Jazz Festival, and the R.A.V.E.S Festival in Redding. In addition, they have received Superior Ratings in Festivals throughout the Western United States, and the last two years have brought them Command Performance Awards at the Santa Cruz Vocal Jazz Festival. This ensemble was one of three groups from the U.S. invited twice to participate in MusicFest Canada (Canadian National Festival) in Toronto and Vancouver, B.C.

In 2011, they were invited to perform at the White House for the Christmas tree lighting.

Their repertoire includes jazz standards and contemporary works, as well as genres such as classical, blues, folk, rock and world music. Jazz @ 8 performs locally all year long supporting local businesses, events, service groups, and veterans. Some of the events are the Bach Festival, annual Christmas events, Veterans Day and Memorial Day events and Columbia College Vocal Jazz Festival. This year, Jazz @ 8 has been invited to participate in the Valley Talent Project (formerly Valley’s Got Talent), at The Gallo Center for The Arts in Modesto.

Also appearing at this concert will be the winners of the Sierra Music Scholarships.

Upcoming concerts in the Series will also feature local talent. Violinist, Makena Clark, a graduate of Summerville High School, University of the Pacific School of Music, and Cal State, Long Beach will present a program on Sunday, April 9 at 3 p.m. at The Red Church in Sonora. Composers’ Corner with composers Ron Randall, Joy Willow, and Daryl Hollinger takes place on Sunday, May 7, at 3 p.m. at The Church of the 49ers in Columbia.

Tickets for all concerts are $15 for adults and $6 for students under 18 and are available at The Mountain Bookshop at the Junction in Sonora, by calling 536-0825, or at the door.

 

For more information, you can also visit the website at sjconcertseries.org.