Press Release

A great occasion for local jazz lovers will occur on January 31st when both the Lee and Sterling HS Jazz Bands and the Baytown Big Band will share the bill with legendary jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band at RSS Auditorium.

The Sterling High School Band and Band Parents Association are sponsoring the concert as a fund-raiser at the RSS Auditorium on Monday, January 31st at 7:30 PM. The concert will open with performances by the Lee High School Jazz Band, the Sterling High School Jazz Band and the Baytown Big Band and will conclude with a 75 minute set by Maynard Ferguson and the Big Bop Nouveau Band.

Maynard Ferguson is one of the great jazz artists of the 20th Century. In a professional career beginning in the 1940's he has made over 60 recordings, had 3 Grammy nominations, performed on numerous movie soundtracks and given concerts all over the world. He is a member of Downbeat Magazine's Hall of Fame. His trademark style ulta-high melodic trumpet playing has set a standard for over half a century. Now, at age 71, he plays a full schedule of annual concerts. Always an innovator even while remaining true to the big band style, his approach to jazz is, "Jazz is an adventure. Integral to its very nature is change. I'm a believer in change as long as it feels right.". His latest CD, "Brass Attitude" was released to great acclaim in 1998. The Big Bop Nouveau Band is a group of 10 outstanding young musicians (average age about 26) all graduates of the nation's top university music programs. Many former members like Chick Corea, Bob James and Don Ellis have gone on to solo careers.

The Baytown Big Band is a jazz ensemble of local music educators and musicians including some RSS band parents. It gives frequent performances in the Baytown and the east Houston areas.

The RSS Jazz Band conducted by Dennis Eichler and the REL Jazz Band conducted by Zeb Moore feature between them 11 members of the 1999 Texas Music Educators Association All-Region Jazz Band. The RSS Jazz Band won 1st Division Superior and Best-in-Contest trophies at San Antonio in 1998 and at New Orleans in 1999.

Tickets are $15 in advance (or $18 at the door if still available). Tickets are on-sale at H&H Music stores or from RSS band members and parents or by calling the RSS Band Hall at 281-420-4500 ext 1256. Further information is available online at www.geocities.com/~sterlingband/ or by calling 281-420-4500 ext 1256.