Jazz ensemble makes a comeback

Jazz band is making an encore at Bigfork High School.

Jazz band had been an extracurricular activity several years ago and now the ensemble is back as a full-fledged daily class with teacher Sky Thoreson conducting.

“We think it’s really important because it’s America’s art music. It’s like our original art form,” said Thoreson, who also teaches choir at the high school and middle school. “It’s a standard class around the country.”

Thoreson noted that making it a class rather than an extracurricular was important.

“First of all, it’s daily and second of all, they get a grade for it, which is very appropriate because they have to do things like improvise, demonstrate swing style, show a commitment level that’s higher than if it were an extracurricular activity because then you’re competing with sports,” said Thoreson, who has athletes in the ensemble.

Growing up near Seattle in Snohomish, Washington, Thoreson was immersed in a culture where jazz education was a priority and it was competitive. In seventh grade he had to audition for jazz band at his public middle school.

From there he studied classical trombone performance, jazz pedagogy and improvisation at Whitworth University in Spokane, playing in the university band.

Now he plays in the Whitefish group Mama Jazz and her Stumptown Po’ Boys with Erica von Kleist and “with other really great jazz cats.”

Thoreson said he also has played with the Cocinando Latin Jazz Orchestra and B.J. Lupton’s Swingin’ on High Big Band.

The Bigfork jazz ensemble is open to freshmen through seniors. Students in jazz band also have to take concert band. Thoreson’s goal is to build the jazz ensemble to 18 or 20 members.

“The things that they’re learning are very new to them,” Thoreson said. “Right now they’re learning the elements of jazz by just playing. We’re talking about it, but mostly we’re just playing because jazz is all about a feeling within your soul. It’s this really deep and intellectual idea. It’s not just notes on a page.”

The jazz ensemble is focusing elements such as blues, improvisation and “the suggestion of swing.” Improvisation is an abstract concept to student musicians used to playing in a concert band, Thoreson said. A swing sound is difficult to articulate.

“Technically it’s more of a feel,” Thoreson said noting that he sings or plays his trombone to teach the concept. “That’s the hardest part to teach because students will go back to the straight eighth notes.”

One of the fun parts of playing jazz is that many musicians get to interpret a piece in improvised solos. On Tuesday while the student musicians start warming up, Thoreson shouts, “Yeah,” twirling his arm rhythmically. He then points to sophomore Ashton Edgerton, who stands up and plays a trumpet solo. He points to senior Malachi Bond who plays a solo on the baritone saxophone. Thoreson then plays his own trombone before pointing to another saxophonist and snaps his fingers.

During practice senior Gabriel Broughton has an opportunity for an improvised trumpet solo. No two solos are exactly the same.

“He points and we have a scale we follow, but we go off and make it our own,” Broughton said.

Jazz lends itself to an artistic freedom for each musician.

“It’s kind of your own thing. You can follow with what’s written down, but it’s kind of up to you with what you’re going to do with solos and how you see the song,” Broughton said.

After warming up, Thoreson walks over to a stereo.

“Have any of you ever heard of the Count Basie Orchestra? Count Basie is one of the most famous big bands and big band leaders of all time. He’s what we base our swing feel off of,” Thoreson said.

Thoreson turns on a laid-back recording of “Shiny Stockings.”

After getting a feel for the sound, it’s the students’ turn.

“Go faster, you’re already dragging. [It’s] Four and four and four not four and one and four and one,” Thoreson says while the musicians pick up the pace.

After playing through the piece Thoreson provides some input.

 “We have to make sure we play with that intentional clarity — tight. Let’s try it from the top.”

Drummer and junior Bjorn Thorness said he joined the jazz ensemble to become a better all-around drummer.

“I think it will help my chops,” Thorness said.

Freshman and saxophonist Alex Broughton put it simply: “I love music.”

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.