The Westlake High School Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2024 Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference.

The Performance.

The Westlake High School Jazz Ensemble performed to a packed house on Thursday, January 25th at The Classic Center in Athens, GA.

MUSIC SELECTIONS

All of Me

Vocalist: Ariel Merritt; Soloist: Jacobi Priester

Song for San Miguel

Soloists: Jacobi Priester, Timothy Jinks, Winston Brown, Brad Brown Jr., Kevin Oliver Jr.

Take the “A” Train

Soloists: Jannaya Rainey, Winston Brown

Sweet Georgia Brown

Soloists: Jacobi Priester, Morgan Tinch

Naima

Soloists: Jannaya Rainey, Dr. Gordon Vernick, Kevin Oliver Jr.

Alamode

Soloists: Winston Brown, Devin Bray, Dr. Gordon Vernick, Morgan Tinch, Ayana Cummings

When Sunny Gets Blue

Vocalist: Adrienne J. Woods

Riding on a Blue Note

Soloists: Winston Brown, Jacobi Priester, Ayana Cummings

Groovin’ Hard

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

Second Line

Soloists: Jacobi Priester, Timothy Jinks, Winston Brown, Morgan Tinch, Devin Bray, Curtis Olawumi, Kevin Oliver Jr., Dr. Jeremy George, Ayana Cummings

THE MUSICIANS

  • Aidan Woods

    Trumpet

  • Alexander Johnson

    Trumpet

  • Ariel Merritt

    Vocalist

  • Aubrey Roberts

    Flute/Piccolo

  • Brad Brown Jr.

    Baritone Saxophone

  • Brandon Houston

    Alto Saxophone

  • Brian Jacobs

    Trumpet

  • Chase Matthews

    Flute/Piccolo

  • Chelsea Payne

    Alto Saxophone

  • Devin Bray

    Trombone

  • Devin Thigpen

    Tenor Saxophone

  • Diamond Johnson

    Flute/Piccolo

  • Elizabeth McKenzie

    Trumpet

  • Isaiah Dunlap

    Keys

  • Jackson Betts

    Keys

  • Jacobi Priester

    Keys

  • Jahmya Bassue

    Trombone

  • James Hartwell

    Trombone

  • Jannaya Rainey

    Alto Saxophone

  • Lauryn Bray

    Percussion

  • Maya Smith

    Tenor Saxophone

  • Melvin Melton

    Percussion

  • Morgan Tinch

    Tenor Saxophone

  • Ross Russell

    Trumpet

  • Skyla Miller

    Percussion

  • Solari Winkler

    Bass

  • Tia Howard

    Trombone

  • Timothy Jinks

    Trumpet

  • Torrance Mosley

    Guitar

  • Toure Lee

    Trombone

  • Winston Brown

    Trumpet

  • Zoe Nelson

    Flute/Piccolo

CONDUCTOR AND GUEST SOLOISTS

  • Cedric Young

    Director of Bands

  • Dr. Gordon Vernick

    Guest Soloist

  • Sarkino Walker

    Guest Conductor

  • Curtis Olawumi

    Guest Soloist

  • Ayana Cummings

    Guest Soloist

  • Kevin Oliver Jr.

    Guest Soloist

  • Adrienne J. Woods

    Guest Soloist

  • Jeremy George, Ph.D

    Guest Soloist

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:

  • Ameerah Malcolm-Hill, Band Booster President

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

  • Westlake Band Parents

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

  • Principal Jarvis Adams

  • Assistant Principal Greg Minnis

  • Isadora Lanier

  • The countless individuals who have been supportive of the Jazz Ensemble, this trip to the GMEA Conference, and the process.

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.