Middle, high school and veteran musicians rock Metropolis

The walls of the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre resounded May 19 with a multigenerational jazz concert when the South Middle School and Buffalo Grove High School jazz bands joined the Sounds of the Big Band group to create an evening of entertainment.

The 24-member South Middle School band, led by Andrew Davis, performed "High Maintenance," "Our Love is here to Stay" and "Zach Attack."

"These kids rehearse once a week after school," Davis said. He added that they perform concerts at South as well as around the community, including the Jazz in the Meadows Festival and Thomas Middle School Jazz Jamboree.

Recently, they traveled to Dryden, Westgate, and Windsor schools to perform concerts for the elementary school students.

The Buffalo Grove High School jazz band numbers featured two original compositions, "Beauty" by Jason Barrette and "Homecoming Stomp" by Cameron Obrecht. Other numbers included "Groove Merchant and "Shiny Stockings."

At one point, Buffalo Grove High School band director Henry Kappler asked his musicians, "How many of you had AP tests this past week?" Nearly all raised their hands.

Gregg Padovani led the Sounds of the Big Band group in classic jazz hits that included "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "Little Brown Jug."

The group is a full 17-piece orchestra supported by a cadre of alternates playing from a music book of more than 300 songs. This all-volunteer band plays "for the love of music," and rehearses twice a month at the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights.

The concert concluded with a rousing version of "Sweet Home Chicago" by the Sounds of the Big Band, which was joined by Buffalo Grove musicians Janelle Finton and Sean Ouimet.

The event was hosted by the Arlington Heights Arts Commission, with the support of the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Artistic Director Joe Keefe; Audience Services Manager Bryan Wlas and other members of the arts center staff