The Westlake High School Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform at the 16th Annual Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference in Atlanta on Thursday, January 9th, 2025.

MUSIC SELECTIONS

All of Me

Words and Music by Seymour Simons and Gerald Marks

Arranged by Michael Sweeney

Vocalist: Lavahi

Soloists: Morgan Tinch (WHS c/o 2025), James Hartwell (WHS c/o 2025)

Guest Drummer: Ayana Cummings

Song for San Miguel

by Mike Steinel

Soloists: Brad Brown, Jr. (WHS c/o 2026), James Hartwell (WHS c/o 2025), Kevin Oliver Jr.

Mister Cool

by Mike Steinel

Soloists: Ross Russell (WHS c/o 2027), Brad Brown Jr. (WHS c/o 2026), Curtis Olawumi

Naima

by John Coltrane

Arranged by Craig Skeffington

Soloists: Dr. Gordon Vernick, Kevin Oliver Jr.

Alamode

by Curtis Fuller

Arranged by Murtha

Guest Drummer: Ayana Cummings

Soloists: Ross Russell (WHS c/o 2027), Micah Taylor (WHS c/o 2027)

When Sunny Gets Blue

Lyrics by Jack Segal, Music by Marvin Fisher

Arranged by Jerry Nowak

Vocalist: Lavahi

Groovin’ Hard

by Don Menza

Arranged by Dave Barduhn

Soloists: Dr. Jeremy George, Curtis Olawumi, Dr. Gordon Vernick, Wycliffe Gordon

Sweet Georgia Brown

Words and Music by Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard and Kenneth Casey

Arranged by Sammy Nestico

Soloists: Sean Patterson (Sandtown MS), Morgan Tinch (WHS c/o 2025)

Riding on a Blue Note

by Duke Ellington

Soloists: Morgan Tinch (WHS c/o 2025), Sean Patterson (Sandtown MS)

Second Line

Traditional Arrangement by Victor L. Goins

Guest Drummer: Bernard Long Jr.

Soloists: Aidan Woods (WHS c/o 2025), Curtis Olawumi, Morgan Tinch (WHS c/o 2025), John Taylor (WHS c/o 2027), Dr. Jeremy George, Wycliffe Gordon

THE MUSICIANS

  • Aidan Woods

    Trumpet

  • Alexander Johnson

    Trumpet

  • Aubrey Roberts

    Flute/Piccolo

  • Brad Brown Jr.

    Baritone Saxophone

  • Brandon Houston

    Alto Saxophone

  • Brian Jacobs

    Trumpet

  • Charli Haynes

    Tenor Saxophone

  • Chase Matthews

    Flute/Piccolo

  • Chelsea Payne

    Alto Saxophone

  • Coleman Jones

    Percussion

  • Connor Merton

    Trumpet

  • Ethan Drake

    Trumpet

  • Isaiah Dunlap

    Keys

  • Isaiah Freeman

    Trumpet

  • Jakobe Hill

    Trumpet

  • James Hartwell

    Trombone

  • John Taylor

    Trombone

  • Lauryn Bray

    Percussion

  • Kaylin Parker

    Trumpet

  • Kharma Wolf

    Flute

  • Kyler Parker

    Sousaphone/Trombone

  • Melvin Melton

    Percussion

  • Micah Taylor

    Trombone

  • Morgan Tinch

    Tenor Saxophone

  • Nia Blount

    Percussion

  • Ross Russell

    Trumpet

  • Sean Patterson

    Keys

  • Skyla Miller

    Percussion

  • Solari Winkler

    Bass

  • Zoe Nelson

    Flute/Piccolo

CONDUCTOR AND GUEST SOLOISTS

  • Cedric Young

    Director of Bands

  • Dr. Gordon Vernick

    Guest Soloist

  • Curtis Olawumi

    Guest Soloist

  • Kevin Oliver Jr.

    Guest Soloist

  • Jeremy George, Ph.D

    Guest Soloist

  • Wycliffe Gordon

    Guest Soloist

  • Lavahi

    Guest Soloist

  • Bernard "Stix" Long Jr.

    Guest Soloist

  • Ayana Cummings

    Guest Drummer

Conductor and Special Guest Bios

Acknowledgements

The Westlake High School Jazz Ensemble would like to thank the following people for their support and dedication to the Jazz Band program:

  • Band Clinicians:

    Ayana Cummings (Westlake Jazz Band Alumna, Alabama State University Graduate, Westlake Band Staff)

    Joshua Huffman (Jacksonville State University Graduate, Current Georgia State University Graduate Student)

    Curtis Olawumi (Westlake Jazz Band Alumni, Tennessee State University Graduate, Current North Carolina Central University Graduate Student)

    Kevin Oliver Jr. (Westlake Jazz Band Alumnus, The Juilliard School Graduate)

  • Ameerah Malcolm-Hill, Band Booster President

  • Band Booster Officers: Latalia Paramore, Nicole Smith, LaTalvia Paramore, Elizabeth Harris, Krystal Rainey, Nigel Kelly

  • Westlake Band Parents

  • Arneessa Woods

  • Isadora Lanier

  • Westlake’s Fine Arts Department: Rae Ransom Coleman, Kimbraly Grimes, Quandrell Claybrooks, Toshia Jackson

  • Principal Jarvis Adams

  • Assistant Principal Greg Minnis

  • The countless individuals who have been supportive of the Jazz Ensemble.

We Need Your Support.

The Westlake High School Jazz Ensemble counts on community support to help sustain this incredible musical journey for these young people, ensuring that the magic of jazz continues in our community.

By donating, you directly contribute to the development of these young musicians, allowing them to hone their musical skills and nurture their passion for jazz. Your generosity enables them to access quality instruments, attend workshops, and participate in prestigious competitions, all of which are essential for their growth.