More than 100 ensembles from five states to play at Jazz in the Meadows

Rolling Meadows High School promises to be a busy place on Saturday, Feb. 24, when more than 100 jazz bands — representing 68 schools from five states — descend on the school for the 33rd edition of Jazz in the Meadows.

The daylong festival features unlimited jazz in all genres, from big band and swing, to Latin and blues, and with lots of student improvisation.

The majority of performances are by high school ensembles who compete in their respective classes based on school size. But the fest has grown to include jazz combos, middle school jazz bands, and feature an open jam session in the cafeteria and a pair of celebrity concerts.

Over the years, it has become one of the largest and most highly regarded jazz festivals in the Midwest. Schools come from Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties, as well as from Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin to participate.

Turns out, they are in for a full day.

At noon, the University of Illinois Concert Jazz Band will perform under the direction of Chip McNeil, while during the grand finale concert, the East Hubbard Jazz Orchestra will play before the winners of the four classes square off for the right to win the title of grand champion.

The festival offers so many learning — and playing — opportunities that jazz directors want their students to experience, especially those band leaders who attended the festival as students.

Dave Tribley brings the jazz band from Warren Township High School in Gurnee every year, but he vividly remembers playing his alto saxophone when he was a member of the Lake Zurich High School jazz band.

“I can remember being told by a clinician that I needed to sound more like Phil Woods on a particular tune we were playing,” Tribley recalls. “That was a tall, if not impossible order, but it was a comment that pushed me to continue improving my craft and to look into recordings of jazz greats to model myself after.”

As an educator, he adds, he looks for those kinds of opportunities — outside the band room — for his students to experience.

Likewise, J.T. Teichert, a band director at Fremd High School, still remembers the advice he received from one of the clinicians when he was a student at Wheeling High School.

“I still remember working with Tom Matta, a professor of jazz composition from DePaul University,” Teichert says. “We had finished performing our large ensemble set and Tom spoke with me afterwards about my approaches to sound quality when improvising.

“He was very kind,” Teichert added, “and I was moved by his attention to detail and his suggestions for improvement.”

Members of the Rolling Meadows High School Music Boosters sponsor the show and they encourage community members to enjoy the jazz performances. However, at the heart of the day, says Rolling Meadows Band Director Christopher Buti, it is an educational opportunity for students.

“Hopefully students take away a greater love and appreciation of jazz music,” Buti says, “as a result of the feedback from the judges, hearing other schools play, hearing the guest artists, and just playing in the jazz sessions.”

This much he knows: interest in jazz is growing, from more middle schools offering jazz band to high schools with “second bands.” In fact, this year there will be a separate class for those second bands, putting them on a more level playing field.

Visitors to the fest will be given programs with a detailed breakdown of when bands are playing and where. Competition venues range from the school's auditorium, to its two gyms, to its practice rooms and even its library.

Each band performs a 15-minute set before they receive evaluation and instruction from a trio of jazz professionals and educators.

“We're lucky enough to draw on many colleges and universities in the Midwest,” Buti adds, “to provide experienced educators on each panel.”

For a complete schedule of bands and when they're playing, visit rmhsmusicboosters.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/17-18-Jazz-at-a-Glance-4.pdf.

33rd edition of Jazz in the Meadows

<b>When:</b> 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

<b>Where:</b> Rolling Meadows High School, 2901 Central Road, Rolling Meadows

<b>Admission:</b> $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and $35 for families

<b>Details:</b> <a href="http://rmhsmusicboosters.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/17-18-Jazz-at-a-Glance-4.pdf">rmhsmusicboosters.com/jazz-in-the-meadows/</a>