Honors at Jazz In The Meadows

The Bloomington North Jazz Band 1 and Combos continued their amazing tradition of being named Honor Bands at the 2014 version of Jazz In The Meadows! There were 65 competing schools, mostly from the Chicago area, but there were also some from Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, and Indiana.

Jazz Band 1 was named Honor Band in Class 2A and then opened the night show at the Finale Concert with an open drum solo by junior Chris Parker followed by a steaming version of Miles Davis’ “Seven Steps to Heaven” with solos by Sadie Johnson (guitar) and Evan Main (piano).

North combos also turned the judges’ heads in the Combo room as Combo 1 was named Honor Combo as well as the other 4 combos gaining accolades and kudos from the adjudicators. Pianist Evan Main was awarded the Outstanding Soloist Plaque from the combo room.

Combo 1: Evan Main (piano/arranger), Stefan Lenthe (bass), Chris Parker (drums) - Division 1 rating and Honor Combo

Combo 2: Christina Dragnea (vocals, tenor sax), Matthew Waterman (piano, trombone, arranger), Philip Wailes (bass & special effects) - Division 1 rating

Combo 3: Matt Waterman (trombone), Tom Levesque (trumpet), Tai Mikulecky (alto sax), Philip Wailes (bass), Evan Main (piano), Chris Parker (drums) - Division 1 rating

Combo 4: Lia Bobay (alto sax), Alex Derenchuk (trumpet), Zach Thames (tenor sax), Josh Heishman (trombone), Sadie Johnson (guitar), Alex Valdez (bass), Andrew Goodrum (drums) - Division 1 rating

Combo 5: Patrick Wailes (alto sax), Connor Starks (trumpet, vocals), Christina Dragnea (tenor sax), Nick May (drums), Chelsea Campbell (piano, composer), Aidan Lippke (bass) - Division 1 rating

The evening Finale Concert featured the Lowdown Brass Band who near the end of their set invited students to start a “dance floor.” Who do you think took the lead? Of all the many students in the house, it was Tai and Christina who led the charge. Soon, the entire Bloomington North group was front and center with Zach, Stefan, Connor, and Peyton Womock starring in the impromptu jam/dance session!

Have you ever witnessed a Conga Line of 200+ ?? It was CRAZY FUN!

Thank you to parent chaperones Carolyn Lee, Vladimira Dragnea, Sharon Wailes, and Joy Main. You made ice skating in Centennial Park something to remember.