Freeport Public Schools fourth annual Night of Jazz brought together students and staff from John W. Dodd Middle School and Freeport High School for a musical showcase of improvisation, syncopation and rhythm in front of a large audience at the high school.
Staff members warmed up the crowd with a quick set before the John W. Dodd School Jazz Band, directed by music teacher Adam Rubin, presented Miles Davis's "So What," Jerome Kern's "All the Things You Are," and Erroll Garner and Johnny Burke's "Misty," which featured a vocal solo from student Chavonne Toussaint. After they finished, the high school jazz band, under the direction of Michael LaSorsa, quickly moved in to play Count Basie's "Jumpin' at the Woodside," Benny Golson's "Killer Joe," Russ Freeman's "Morocco" and an energetic rendition of Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing."
The audience, seated at tables arranged café style, listened intently and applauded each number played as well as the many featured instrument solos.
