Nine ensembles will perform in Vermont Jazz Center student showcase

BRATTLEBORO—The Vermont Jazz Center (VJC) invites the community to the Student Showcase on Saturday, December 6, from 12 to 5 pm, 72 Cotton Mill Hill, #222.
Over the course of the afternoon, nine ensembles will share the results of three months of study, rehearsal, and collaboration. Listeners can expect a mix of jazz standards, Latin
jazz, samba percussion, vocal harmonies, improvisational forays, and spirited tunes from the Blue Note era.
The event is free and open to the public; a suggested $5
donation supports the VJC Scholarship Fund, which awards more than $17,000 annually to help make jazz education accessible to all.
The performance schedule is as follows:
• At 12:30 pm, the Fearless Improv group opens the show.
Led by legendary horn player John Clark, this ensemble en-
courages musicians of all backgrounds to explore creative
expression through composing, analyzing, and improvis-
ing in a welcoming, community setting.
• At 1 pm, the VJC Sextet will perform swinging ar-
rangements played at area schools, community centers,
and senior living facilities.
• At 1:30 pm, Sambaganza, the VJC’s samba ensemble,
will perform their percussion arrangements of Brazilian
rhythms.
• At 2 pm, two youth jazz ensembles will perform
repertoires of classic jazz tunes. The students hail from
Brattleboro Union High School, Leland & Gray, and
Marlboro schools.
• At 3 pm, the Soubrettes, a choir led by Anna Patton
will present American swing-era songs, combining close-
harmony vocals with poignant and humorous lyrics.
• The Latin Jazz Ensemble performs at 3:30 pm. The
instrumentation includes violin, saxophones, flute, and
trumpets with a powerhouse, five-piece rhythm section.
• Closing out the afternoon, starting at 4 pm, drummer
Claire Arenius will direct two groups performing the jazz
sound made famous by Blue Note Records.
For more information go to vtjazz.org.