Rivers Students Perform at Newport Jazz Festival
For most jazz musicians, an invitation to play at the Newport Jazz Festival is the highlight of their career, the pinnacle of success. But Rivers Conservatory program students Joe Nedder ’18 and Michael Manasseh ’19 will have to set their sights higher, after appearing at Newport this summer as members of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Jazz Band.
Nedder and Manasseh were selected to perform at the MMEA All-State Festival at Symphony Hall in Boston this spring, after successfully auditioning in January. Manasseh was the only percussionist chosen, making him the “state drummer,” while Nedder was one of four trombonists chosen for the Jazz Band. Both are members of the Rivers Big Band and the Select 1 Combo.
This year’s 19-member All-State Jazz Band was directed by Ronald Carter, Professor Emeritus from Northern Illinois University, a nationally known guest conductor, artist, and clinician, as well as an educator and musician on saxophone, clarinet, flute and vocalist in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
“We performed slightly longer versions of the same pieces we had played at Symphony Hall because we had more time for our set at Newport,” said Nedder. “Our rehearsal consisted of three hours the day prior and a sound check the day of the gig. Professor Carter made a point of telling us how this is how it works in the real world, with probably even less rehearsal than we had. It was a truly amazing experience to play at the festival, and play with such a kind and dedicated band once again!”
“It was a truly unique experience,” agreed Manasseh. “It was great to play with contemporaries who were as interested and engaged with jazz music as I am. Through their playing and the guidance of Professor Carter I was able to push myself harder musically and technically. I hope to take that level of intensity into the Rivers Big Band and other musical endeavors this year.”
The Newport program included : “On Green Dolphin Street” by Washington/Kaper, arranged by Rick Hirsch; “Harlem Airshaft” by Duke Ellington, arranged by David Berger; “Dat Dere” by Bobby Timmons, arranged by Eric Morales; “Arnge Drank” by Paul Baker; “Bebop 'n' Georgia” by Mark Taylor; “Kids Are Pretty People” by Thad Jones; and “15 Minutes Late” by John Clayton.
“Professor Carter made a point of stressing the importance of versatility,” added Nedder. “He told us we needed to learn how to play all genres: jazz, funk, rock, even hip-hop, in order to be a successful musician today.”
“It was a thrill to have two Rivers student perform in the All-State Band at the Newport Jazz Festival this year,” said Philippe Crettien, Director of Rivers’ Jazz Program. “The Festival is the oldest and most prestigious jazz festival in the USA. Michael and Joe delivered an outstanding performance and thrilled a very enthusiastic audience on the very same stage as jazz giants like Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Miles Davis… Truly an amazing honor!”
Rivers’ jazz ensembles had an extremely successful competitive season in the spring. The Big Band took 4th Place and the Select 1 Combo finished 5th at the Berklee High School Jazz Festival on February 11, beating out more than 240 other schools from around the country. Nedder received individual recognition for his performance at that competition as a part of both the Big Band and the Select 1 Combo.
The Big Band won a Gold Medal at the MAJE Senior District Competition on March 1 and went on to win a Silver in the State Finals on March 18.The Select 1 Combo won Gold at both the district and state levels. Nedder won the MVP award at the Big Band competition for his performance on the trombone, while Nedder and fellow musicians, Manasseh and Alex Gomez ’17 (saxophone) all received Outstanding Musician awards for their performances in the Combo.
“I am looking forward to another great year of jazz at Rivers with the Upper School ensembles competing this year in all the national and state competitions,” said Crettien. “We’re also excited about our Middle School big band, instrumental and beginning jazz ensembles.”
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