Jazz Ensembles
Rehearsal Schedule
TBA Jazz I - Band Room Jazz II - Orchestra Room Jazz III - Ensemble Room Upcoming Performances:
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All Region Jazz Auditions
2020: September 19, 2020 All Region Jazz Drum Tracks
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DV JAZZ BIO
The jazz program has grown to include three full jazz big bands, one Latin jazz ensemble, and one small jazz combo. Each member, in the fall semester, takes part in an audition process that earns them a spot in a band for the spring semester. These groups then participate in many jazz festivals throughout the southwest.
The most notable festivals, where Del Valle High School bands have been named the “most outstanding jazz ensemble,” are the Hanks Jazz Festival in El Paso, Texas; the New Mexico State University Jazz Festival in Las Cruces, New Mexico; and the Texas Tech Jazz Festival in Lubbock, Texas. It is without fail that the Del Valle Jazz Ensembles place in the top three of each festival, and it is common for the students to receive “best section” or “outstanding soloist” awards. In 2013, the Del Valle Jazz Ensemble was invited to perform at The Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.
The Del Valle Jazz Ensemble consistently performs difficult and standard jazz literature by composers and arrangers such as Bill Holman, Bob Brookmeyer, Horace Silver, Maria Schneider, Thad Jones, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Sammy Nestico, John Marshall, Kim Richmond, Frank Mantooth, Charles Mingus, and many others. The ensemble plays big band compositions and arrangements in a variety of styles including, but not limited to, swing, blues, bebop, ballads, funk, rock, and Latin. It is through these pieces that the roots of jazz style, improvisation, and history are explored.
The students work diligently to better themselves by participating in the Texas All-State process, and for the past 10 years have had at least one member advance to the All-State bands. Year after year, students represent Del Valle High School in the Region XXII All-Region bands and Jazz bands. In addition to this, many members of the band also participate in the El Paso Youth Jazz Ensemble and the Ysleta Independent School District Honor Jazz Band.
Part of the success of the Del Valle High School Music Program is the frequency of guest clinicians and guest artists who collaborate with the students. Artists such as, Ricky Malichi, Spaun Drums Artist and local private percussion instructor; Marty Olivas, Yamaha trumpet Artist and local educator; Stephen Jones, Conn-Selmer Artist, saxophonist, and Director of Jazz Studies at Texas Tech University; and Brad Leali, Grammy Award-winning Saxophonist and Professor of Jazz Saxophone at the University of North Texas, all help by contributing their knowledge and love for the great art of jazz music.
The jazz program has grown to include three full jazz big bands, one Latin jazz ensemble, and one small jazz combo. Each member, in the fall semester, takes part in an audition process that earns them a spot in a band for the spring semester. These groups then participate in many jazz festivals throughout the southwest.
The most notable festivals, where Del Valle High School bands have been named the “most outstanding jazz ensemble,” are the Hanks Jazz Festival in El Paso, Texas; the New Mexico State University Jazz Festival in Las Cruces, New Mexico; and the Texas Tech Jazz Festival in Lubbock, Texas. It is without fail that the Del Valle Jazz Ensembles place in the top three of each festival, and it is common for the students to receive “best section” or “outstanding soloist” awards. In 2013, the Del Valle Jazz Ensemble was invited to perform at The Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.
The Del Valle Jazz Ensemble consistently performs difficult and standard jazz literature by composers and arrangers such as Bill Holman, Bob Brookmeyer, Horace Silver, Maria Schneider, Thad Jones, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Sammy Nestico, John Marshall, Kim Richmond, Frank Mantooth, Charles Mingus, and many others. The ensemble plays big band compositions and arrangements in a variety of styles including, but not limited to, swing, blues, bebop, ballads, funk, rock, and Latin. It is through these pieces that the roots of jazz style, improvisation, and history are explored.
The students work diligently to better themselves by participating in the Texas All-State process, and for the past 10 years have had at least one member advance to the All-State bands. Year after year, students represent Del Valle High School in the Region XXII All-Region bands and Jazz bands. In addition to this, many members of the band also participate in the El Paso Youth Jazz Ensemble and the Ysleta Independent School District Honor Jazz Band.
Part of the success of the Del Valle High School Music Program is the frequency of guest clinicians and guest artists who collaborate with the students. Artists such as, Ricky Malichi, Spaun Drums Artist and local private percussion instructor; Marty Olivas, Yamaha trumpet Artist and local educator; Stephen Jones, Conn-Selmer Artist, saxophonist, and Director of Jazz Studies at Texas Tech University; and Brad Leali, Grammy Award-winning Saxophonist and Professor of Jazz Saxophone at the University of North Texas, all help by contributing their knowledge and love for the great art of jazz music.