Enjoy the sound of live classic and modern jazz at the 12th Annual MPH Jazz Fest Sunday, April 10th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on the Manlius Pebble Hill (MPH) School campus. The Festival features guest artist Joe Carello, the City of Syracuse Stan Collela All Star Band as well as MPH Middle School Jazz Collective, and the MPH Jazz Ensemble. A reception follows immediately for audience members to meet the artists. Tickets are $10 and available in advance through Ticketleap or at the door.
For 11 years, Manlius Pebble Hill has sponsored this community Jazz Fest that features regional professional artists and jazz students from Manlius Pebble Hill and other local schools. The quality of all the performers is outstanding and audience members are transported through decades of jazz, from traditional to modern. The Jazz Fest is more than a production for participating students. Each event is preceded by a workshop for the young professionals led by the guest artist with experiential lessons, tips, stories, and more.
Saxophone player and music teacher Joe Carello is an accomplished performer and award winning music educator, and has been a saxophonist for the Syracuse Symphony and the Central New York Jazz Orchestra and for over 30 years. His career has included performances with Natalie Cole, Harry Connick Jr., Aretha Franklin and other international jazz vocalists. In 20012, he received the prestigious Jazz Educator of the Year award from the Central New York Arts and Jazz Foundation.
The City of Syracuse Stan Colella All Stars Band is a 17 piece, big band featuring select student musicians from high schools across Greater Syracuse. Led by Mr. Carello, the All Stars Band has been in place since 1960 and performs as many as 60 shows during the summer and more during the holiday season across Central New York.
The Jazz Fest will also feature accomplished student artists in MPH’s Middle School Jazz Collective and the MPH Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Richard Huyge. Mr. Huyge performs regionally on saxophone, clarinet, flute, and piano. He is currently a member of El Rumbon!, Ithaca’s premier Latin Dance Band, and can be seen (and heard) with the Salt City Jazz Collective.