Generations in Jazz Tour Success

Touring is one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of being in a band, or ensemble. It is physically demanding, there are long hours involved in the preparation and then during the tour, but in the end, the experience is worth it. For many Scotch College students, tours are a highlight of their school journey. Tours create community, they inspire higher pursuits in the disciplines of performance, they refresh and invigorate passion and build lasting networks and friendships.

Twenty one of the Scotch College jazz students recently returned from their tour to Generations in Jazz. This festival, held in Mount Gambier, South Australia is the preeminent school jazz festival in Australia, this year with some five and a half thousand participants.

After a day travelling to Mount Gambier involving a very early wake up time and two flights, the group landed in Mount Gambier and witnessed first-hand the first adjudication concert for the 2018 James Morrison Scholarship. The following day the group received a two and a half hour workshop from renowned Australian Jazz musician, arranger and composer Graeme Lyall AM. This put the final touches on preparations for the stage band competition the following day.

The Scotch College Big Band Two performed in Division 3.1 of the festival and achieved sensational results, placing first in the division and receiving a monetary prize in doing so. Guitarist and 2018 Scotch Music Captain Kyle Imlah (Year 12, Keys) was recognised as the best jazz guitarist in the division, and awarded a place in the Division 3 Superband as a result.

Jazz Combo Two learnt a lot from the experience, gaining valuable insight into the level of preparation and skill base required for jazz performance in this context.

Three public concerts later, with none other than jazz vocal legend Patti Austin (USA) and James Morrison's all star big band (Australia), Jeff Clayton (Los Angeles), The Cat Empire (Melbourne) and the Idea of North, not to mention the 2018 scholarship finalists and past winners of the Division one bands, the students were completely saturated with jazz music goodness.

My thanks to the music staff who have patiently rehearsed and directed the Big Band and Jazz Combo over the past two terms. To Mr Tim Simpson and Mr Graeme Bell, the dedication and commitment to student learning through this tour involved many hours of hard work and time away from family. Both of you have gone above and beyond your call of duty.

Congratulations to all of the boys involved. Long may Scotch Music enjoy the fruits of this success.

Mr Scott Loveday
Head of Performing Arts