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St. Patrick High School Benefit
St. Patrick High School Benefit
Date Posted: March 08 2011
Written By: Charley Krebs
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St. Patrick’s High School’s Jazz Band is hittin’ the road! Attend their benefit event!!
Wednesday, March 16 from 6 to 9 p.m.
One of my favorite moments in the Chicago jazz community happens every night when Joe Segal addresses his Jazz Showcase audience. His litany of upcoming performers is always entertaining, but his most notable statement describes the Sunday afternoon “all-ages” matinee: “It’s our Save the Children show”
Saving the children means saving jazz itself by turning kids onto the music and onto the study of the music. On the radio show hosted by me and Mike Jeffers, I was always impressed by how many times jazz education became part of the discussions with our guests; many of them dedicated instructors themselves. And, going back to my own college days, I remember the small but enthusiastic jazz program at Morton College in Cicero when [what is now known as] classic rock and disco ruled the world.
This month a great demonstration of the ongoing mission of jazz education swings forth from Chicago's oldest all-male catholic high school.
Saint Patrick High School, 5900 W. Belmont, is currently celebrating its 150th anniversary. A big part of the school’s history is its jazz education program that has hosted performances and clinics from such artists as Paul Wertico, Jim McNeely, Tim Coffman, Mark Colby, Chip McNeill, Jim Snidero, Bob Lark, Doug Beach and Ray Charles.
This April, the student jazz “Men of St. Pat’s” will be “hittin’ the road” and traveling to Colorado to participate in the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival which is the largest event of its kind in the nation (see http://www.unco.edu/arts/music/jazz_festival/default.html for more details.)
Kevin Carroll has directed the St. Pat’s program for eleven heads years. A trombonist, Kevin trained at Illinois, Bowling Green State University, and University of Northern Colorado.
“I have always wanted to teach, though I also wanted to be a professional player. My inspiration was Leo Henning who was a Chicago musician and band director at Brother Rice, St. Laurence, and Leo High Schools. He was a tremendous musician who expected excellence and had a great impact on me and many Chicago area musicians” says the native south sider.
Kevin’s favorite recordings range from Bill Watrous’ “Manhattan Wildlife Refuge” to Jeff Coffin Mu'tet’s “Mutopia” and Miles Davis’ “In A Silent Way”.
In a not-so-silent way, Mollie's Public House in suburban Riverside is hosting a benefit event to fund the students’ trip to Colorado on Wednesday, March 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. (see directions below).
Mollie's will donate ten percent of the evening’s sales to St. Pat's. And beyond the usual friendly atmosphere and extensive beverage and food menu, there also will be musical performances by St. Patrick students, teachers, and friends of the program, as well as a raffle for St. Patrick’s High School merchandise.
Of their own support and “save the children” show, pub manager Christine Piech says, “We are bringing a little jazz to our Irish pub and Kevin's enthusiasm and talent is evident when you hear his students perform. Patrons who appreciate jazz or even those who are not familiar with the sound will be amazed at what these young students are capable of."
And so it will be a special and appropriate St. Patrick’s Day celebration for the jazz students of St. Pat’s. Check-out and support these young jazz men. You just might see the next Paul Wertico... or Kevin Carroll.
Mollie’s Public House is located in downtown Riverside at 31 Forest Avenue, around the corner from the Riverside Metra station. Located between Harlem and First avenues, it’s also accessible from either the Eisenhower or Stevenson expressways. To make it easier, Mollie’s is directly a mile west of Brookfield Zoo. Phone: (708) 447-2233. Webpage: www.molliespublichouse.com
St.Patrick’s High School: www.stpatrick.org
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