It all started when Marty Olivas, the Fine Arts Instructional Specialist in the YISD, met with JazzElPaso Connection’s president Stanley Ball. He explained that El Paso needs an all-city high school jazz band and hoped that JazzElPaso Connection would help. Olivas, an acclaimed jazz trumpeter, recording artist, band director, and music teacher, went on to say that by doing so this would be a tremendous opportunity for El Paso’s youth in furthering their music education. As a result of that meeting, Olivas’ dream and passions were met. JazzElPaso Connection along with the support of the YISD, the El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, and other corporate and individual sponsors contribute to one of the most vital needs of any community…sponsoring the educational needs of the youth.

Subsequent to fulfilling the requirements of auditions and the contractual cooperation of their parents, the nineteen-piece El Paso Youth Jazz Ensemble was formed under the direction of Marty Olivas and his staff of fine jazz artists and educations: Ricky Malichi (drum set), Arath Corral (rhythm section), Martin Huerta (brass), Aaron Doyle (saxophone). This student roster consists of:

Ruben Salinas, Alto Sax I, Hanks High School
Rex Novac, Alto Sax II, Jefferson High School
Hector Rodriguez, Tenor Sax I, Americas High School
David Amaya, Tenor Sax II, Americas High School
Daniel Rivera, Tenor Sax II, Del Valle High School
Nicole Rodriguez, Baritone Sax, Hanks High School
Rudy Martinez, Trombone I, Americas High School
Aleida Bautista, Trombone II, Bel Air High School
Miguel Herrera, Trombone III, Americas High School
James, Sanchez, Trombone IV, Del Valle High School
Steven Beatrice, Trumpet I, Eastwood High School
Sara Baqla, Trumpet II, Ysleta High School
Julian Castro, Trumpet III, Coronado High School
Valentin Gonzalez, Trumpet IV, Del Valle High School
John Bowles, Piano, Del Valle High School
Michael Martinez, Piano, Riverside High School
Weston Portillo, Bass, Eastwood High School
Nick Tamez, Drums, Hanks High School
Lexana Alfaro, Drums, Riverside High School

After strenuous rehearsals, improvisational workshops, and an on-the-air radio interview with four ensemble students by KTEP’s Jazz Morning Program host Dennis Woo, the El Paso Youth Jazz Ensemble held their first big band concert. This special night took place on Monday, November 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the YISD Central Office Theater featuring the ensemble’s clinician, Mr. Brad Leali, an international recording jazz saxophonist and head of the Jazz Program at Lubbock’s Texas Tech University.

For those 250 plus in attendance, they were in for a rare treat…to hear a high school jazz band blow the roof off the house by performing these exciting yet complicated jazz charts. Olivas raised-the-bar for these young musicians by selecting sophisticated jazz pieces traditionally performed by an experienced band; however, this youth band rose to the occasion and exceeded, receiving a standing ovation by the audience! Several of the ensemble’s musicians took solos showcasing their improv talents. Mr. Brad Leali sat in on Straight No Chaser, So What, and Pink Panther. The following is from their concert program:

Basie—Straight Ahead: by Sammy Nestico
Hay Burner: by Sammy Nestico
“Sammy” Lewis Nestico, a prolific and well known composer and arranger of big band music, composed more than 600 pieces. Nestico is most known for his arrangements for the Count Basie Orchestra.

Cha Cha Choo…Gesundheit: by Ray Brown
Ray Brown, a multiple Grammy Award winner, composer, and bassist, who accompanied many jazz legends such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Charlie Parker, and other great jazz artists. He was married to Ella Fitzgerald from 1947 to 1952.

Self Portrait in Three Colors: by Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus, an American jazz bassist, composer, bandleader, and occasional pianist was nicknamed "The Angry Man of Jazz." Self Portrait in Three Colors is one of his most elegantly arranged and haunting pieces.

Straight No Chaser: by Thelonius Monk
Thelonius Monk is considered to be one of the architects of bebop and, interesting enough, Straight No Chaser happens to be the title of a feature documentary on his life.

So What: by Miles Davis
Miles Davis, a legendary trumpet player, is one of the greatest visionaries and most important figures in jazz history. “So What”, from Davis’ album Kind of Blue (considered to be the best selling jazz record of all time and still sells 5,000 copies a week), soon became the tune, the one that every musician simply had to know.

Pink Panther: by Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini was one of the most versatile talents in contemporary music. The Mancini name is synonymous with great motion picture and television music, fine recordings and international concert performances. He was a 20 time Grammy Award winner and a 4 time Academy Award winner.

In attendance were educators, principals, jazz lovers, community supporters, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. This evening was magic…magic beyond words...expressed through music. Kudos to our hard working students who made us all proud! JazzElPaso Connection thanks all the sponsors and supporters of the youth ensemble and especially a heartfelt thanks to Marty Olivas and his staff for their commitment and expertise in passing along their passion of the arts to our next generation.

Be sure to check our on-line Calendar for upcoming performances by the El Paso Youth Jazz Ensemble. Also checkout the website’s Photo Gallery for pictures of this event. To become a Jazz Hero Sponsor in support of this youth ensemble, please contact us through our website or by telephone (915) 317-5503.