New venue shines for Jazz Band

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Cheyenna Eagle sings during the Albion High School Jazz Ensemble’s concert tonight at the Cabaret at Studio B. Eagle also plays the keyboards for the ensemble.

The Albion High School Jazz Ensemble for the first time in 36 years had a change in venue for its annual dinner dance. The event had always been in the high school gym.

But this time the show moved to the Cabaret at Studio B and Gotta Dance by Miss Amy. The site was more personal and similar to the ambiance of jazz clubs in many big cities, said Jazz Ensemble Director Michael Thaine.

Mike Thaine, Jazz Ensemble director, introduces members of the group.

The concert also shifted away from a dinner to desserts. The Jazz Ensemble performed two concerts today at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

The band dedicated the concert to Wayne Burlison, the group’s assistant director. Mr. Burlison died from colon cancer on March 26. He was 36. The band members wore blue ribbons to raise awareness of colon cancer. The boys also wore blue ties and some of the girls wore blue scarves during the concert.

The Jazz Ensemble performs at the Cabaret at Studio B, which director Michael Thaine said was a better showcase for the students’ skills. The group performed musicial selections inspired by “The Rat Pack” – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis.

Charlynne Olick plays the alto saxophone for the jazz ensemble.