JAZZ.FM91 - Canada's Premier Jazz Station

JAZZ.FM91 Youth Big Band with Toronto Mayor David Miller

My high school band was never like this...but then again perhaps French horn was not the wisest choice if you're thinking of a career in jazz..

Jules Estrin would agree, well maybe not about the French horn part, but about the high school band experience. Jules plays trombone and admits he has as much fun as the kids do. Jules is the music director for the JAZZ.FM91 Youth Big Band which is comprised of high school students from all over the Greater Toronto Area and debuted at Jazz Lives in May 2008 . I chatted with Jules, a fellow former Edmontonian and now band teacher in Rexdale for the Toronto District School Board. He was passed the torch( or baton if we want to be Olympian about it) by Kelsey Grant, a fellow trombone player and the band's first music director.

A few stats: last year approximately 50 students from 30 schools auditioned for 17 spots. That's 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 5 saxes, piano, bass and drums. 7 or 8 have graduated with 4 going on to music studies at U of T, 1 to Humber and 1 to McGill (Estrin's alma mater). The students are very dedicated, many of them contact Jules directly about their audition and are always prepared and enthusiastic for the weekly Saturday practice. In fact, one young baritone sax player travelled from Guelph via Greyhound bus and TTC for the rehearsals. He credits the stations PSA's and school outreach for the intense interest.

The band at Jazz Lives

And the music? Well this year courtesy of JAZZ.FM91 and your donations there will be challenging charts arranged by Bob Mintzer of Stan Kenton and Count Basie fame, to drop some names. The band does latin, ballads, swing and even 70's era funky "Jungle Boogie" and "Pick Up the Pieces" - apparently the band really enjoyed those - again, not in my high school band repertoire - still I guess the 70's must seem ancient to this generation as the 40's did to us. If you have heard them in action last May at Jazz Lives you know their practicing is paying off big time.

Jules himself has a lot of experience with big bands and community bands having performed with both Vic Vogel and Denny Christianson's bands in Montreal and with such luminaries as Paul Anka, Moe Koffman, Rob McConnell, John McLeod and P.J. Perry among others. Jules has his own group, the Top Brass Orchestra which presents a number of concerts throughout the year.

He was given his first trial by fire from Gordon Foote at McGill who asked him to conduct the big band, not realizing he would be doing it during a concert. I think it's safe to say that after a moment of panic, he passed with flying colours. One of the mutual ponderings we had was this: why are there so many great big bands led by brass musicians, and in particular trombone players? (Rob McConnell, Hugh Fraser and Dave McMurdo come to mind). Is it because they sit in the middle of the band? The middle harmonic? Or (insert your trombone player joke here) too much time on their hands? Or is it their intelligence, charm and good looks? Yes, I am a trombone fan in case you hadn't guessed. If anyone has done an analysis of these hypotheses feel free to contact me.

Mr. Estrin has ambitious plans this year: 10 concerts. He says it's his personal mandate to take the kids out to high schools and show the students what can be done - and perform with the school bands, an exchange if you will. I find that really inspiring . First up, showcasing the group at the OMEA - Ontario Music Educators conference on November 7th - an audience of about 900 teachers, then for the general public - the Rex on November 29th - sharing the bill with the Hart Hourse Jazz Ensemble.

Auditions are going on this Saturday and Sunday, and hopefully there will even be a roster of who made it up on the website soon...but sorry boys and girls they are full for this year, just keep practicing and you too can say "I'm with the Band". [Update: the 2009-2010 auditions are now complete. Thanks to everyone who came out!]

For more info about Jules Estrin www.topbrassmusicalproductions.com and check out info about the band on our website including contact info about auditioning.

The JAZZ.FM91 Youth Big Band is proudly supported in part by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.