High school musicians shine at Starbucks 28th Hot Java Cool Jazz
Starbucks 28th Hot Java Cool Jazz brought together some of the Seattle area’s top jazz musicians for a sold-out performance at the historic Paramount Theatre.
High school jazz band often means getting up early – arriving at school for rehearsal in the pre-dawn hours with a backpack on one shoulder, instrument on the other. And then there’s the hours and hours of practice.
“When I was in middle school, I remember carrying a heavy instrument to school and the [other kids] were like, ‘You could just practice on weekends, don’t worry about it,’” said Sky, who plays saxophone for Roosevelt High School. “But to find a community that was very dedicated to their craft and that shared my dreams and ambitions – I feel like band was one of the first activities where I felt included and that I could contribute to and that I had fun in.”
Music has a way of connecting people.
On March 28, Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz brought together some of the Seattle area’s top musicians for a sold-out performance for nearly 3,000 people under the bright lights of the historic Paramount Theatre. The event featured jazz bands from Garfield High School, Bothell High School, Mountlake Terrace High School, Roosevelt High School and Mount Si High School, with many playing songs to honor legendary artist and Garfield alum Quincy Jones.
Over the event’s 28 years, Hot Java Cool Jazz has raised more than $1.3 million to Washington high school music programs to support young musicians and their passion for music.
Kaylee from Mountlake Terrace plays on the same trumpet that both her father and great-uncle used to play on. While it wasn’t always easy, she says jazz helped her find her way through the highs and lows of high school.
“Even on down days, it’s still so nice to be able to go to band, even if it’s for 50 minutes, and then just play out all these songs,” Kaylee said. “Even if it’s not the best I’ve played it, even if it’s not the best everyone else has played it, there’s never a dull day there.”
Let’s hear from a few of the evening’s seniors:
Olin, trumpet
Garfield High School
“Jazz music — it’s free. There’s a lot of structure behind it, but it is open to new ideas. When we’re all playing together and we’re really in the zone, there’s just a lot of energy, and it feels really good when we’re playing well.”
Kaylee, trumpet
Mountlake Terrace High School
“Nowadays people are like, ‘Oh, well, jazz is just elevator music.’ But it’s not. You sit down and if you listen to it … it’s just a whole different world. It fits every single mood that you could be in, whether it’s a mellow mood, whether you’re working out or you’re just trying to chill out. It kind of fits everything.”
Sky, saxophone
Roosevelt High School
“Jazz — it’s closest to human expression and human spontaneity. You can try and break it down, but some things you don’t really have to fully grasp why you enjoy it. It just really speaks to you.”
Justin, trumpet
Mountlake Terrace High School
“I always like being in a group collective where you all strive to achieve that one goal. You can do this as an individual, but when you’re surrounded by others all working for the same goal of making great music, it’s just inspiring. You want to put in the effort more. You form better connections, but you also just become a better person through it.”
Miep, trombone
Garfield High School
“We enjoy being here … it’s just like, ‘Wow, I’m glad I get to play more music with you guys. I’m glad we have all these cool opportunities.’”
Justin, guitar
Mountlake Terrace High School
“It’s my dream to be in a group of people where everybody is just so excited to play and get better. I hope that I can create an environment and also help younger musicians. I got really lucky running into the teachers that I did because they were all so helpful, I want to pass that down.”
Photos by Liv Lyons, animations by Connor Surdi, and videos by Red Element Studios
