The Bridgeport High School Jazz Ensemble,
under the direction of Chris Hayslette, specializes in not only traditional
standards, but also performs a variety of Latin tunes, ballads, and jazz-rock
selections. In April of 2004, the band was featured at Tamarack as part of the
Sundays At Two concert series. In recent years, the band has traveled to
Cedar point in Sandusky, OH and also to Williamsburg, VA. The ensemble has been
featured at the Marshall University Jazz Festival in 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2009.
In 2005, the Bridgeport Jazz Ensemble competed at the Chik-Fil-A Peach Bowl in
Atlanta
,
GA
where they placed first in their division and earned a Gold rating. In the fall of 2006, the band performed
as part of the awards ceremony for the Nations Day Parade in
New York City
. The
ensemble has consistently earned Superior ratings at the WV Northern Regional
Jazz Festival. In February 2008, the band was featured at Walt Disney Worlds
Magic Kingdom in Orlando, FL. In 2009, the band was chosen as the Honor Jazz
Ensemble for West Virginia and performed at the 2009 West Virginia Music
Educators Association Conference.
The students
maintain a busy performance schedule encompassing 15-20 performances each school
year. The band performs extensively throughout north central West Virginia at a
variety of school, community, and corporate functions including two appearances
at the annual Holly Ball and corporate events for the Make a Wish Foundation,
Lockheed Martin, and J.F. Allen Construction Co.
Their
appearance at the 2009 WV Italian Heritage Festival will feature a variety of
classic standards made famous by Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and others.
Selections to be performed include: New
York, New York, Ive Got You Under My Skin, Evening In Roma, Mambo Italiano,
Summerwind, and many more. The band will also feature the vocals of J.R.
Farley and Kaitlyn Klinger