Randy Napoleon works with Stockbridge High School Jazz Band

by Jo Mayer

Stockbridge Jr./Sr. High Jazz Band students and the public were treated to a special visit from a top-flight Michigan-based jazz guitarist on Tuesday, November 26. MSU Associate Professor and professional jazz guitarist Randy Napoleon and three of his MSU music students visited to work with teacher Patty Pniewski to sharpen the band’s skills and enlarge the students’ understanding of fundamental traditions and essential techniques within the genre.

“Our students were respectful and engaged, and they were getting tips from accomplished practitioners of the art,” said local musician Paul Crandall, who was on hand for the visit. “There’s no substitute for getting knowledge first-hand like that from accomplished professionals who are out there honing their chops as working musicians in the genre.” Napoleon and Pniewski led the students through tricky swing-time counting, call-and-response ear-training exercises, recorded examples from masters like Count Basie, and more.

The visit and a concert that followed at the Town Hall was partially underwritten by a Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation grant and hosted by the Stockbridge Area Arts Council. Arts Council members wrote the grant and coordinated the teach-in and concert. Also supporting the event were the Stockbridge Band Boosters and the Stockbridge Area Chamber of Commerce.

During the teach-in, Scott [Wente] the [MSU] bass player said, “Everyone here is so sweet” as he demonstrated some licks on the electric bass temporarily borrowed from Stockbridge’s Nickole Mons. MSU music student Margherita Fava sat near Stockbridge student Olivia Fletcher at her keyboard, whispering ideas on different ways to approach her improvisations. Will Crandell, drummer from MSU, sat at John Morris’s drums and proceeded to give a quick lesson on accompanying a soloist.

After the two-hour seminar, all the musicians took part in a potluck feast provided by the Band Boosters and band parents. “We had such a wonderful time and appreciate all of your time and energy…I loved the potluck and ate and ate and ate!” remarked Napoleon with a big smile.

The SHS Jazz Band opened the free concert to a full house with a number of selections, including a band favorite You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. They were joined in the last song—Blue Groove–by the Randy Napoleon Quartet, which kept everyone on their (tapping) toes. Napoleon’s group followed with its own set.

Cider and doughnuts were offered during the quick intermission as the SHS band cleared the stage and the Randy Napoleon Quartet set up and started the second half with a jazzy rendition of the Beach Boys’ Wouldn’t It Be Nice.

“It was awesome!” exclaimed Patty Pniewski, Stockbridge High School Band Director. “I was really proud of our band. Mr. Napoleon told me he thought the band played fantastic and was a great group. Many of the audience members also told me what a great performance it was. “

“It was a great opportunity for the high school jazz students. The concert was marvelous,” affirmed Dick Borden, President of the Stockbridge Area Arts Council.

Photo Credit: Samantha Nichols

SHS Jazz Band Members Makenna Allison, Isabelle Arnett, Larissa Boyce, Evan Brewster, Trystin Burton, Bennen Chapman, Wesley Crew, Grace Dreier, Diane Evans, Olivia Fletcher, Jacey Gustafson, Kylin Heidrich, Justin Jaszkowski, Paul Marshall, Nickole Mons, John Morris, Julianne Muscato, Abigail Schlaff, Rylee Tolson, Elijiah Torrey, Kaitlyn Walker, Sylvia Whitt,Kristina Wilde, Jaslyn Wilkins, Joy Youngblood

Randy Napoleon Quartet on stage at SHS.

Randy teaching at SHS.