Latest News – May 7

JazZ Project Celebrates 10^th Season, Concert Sunday

Have you got any plans mapped out for Mother’s Day this Sunday? Sounds like the weather is going to be cold,  possibly snowy,  so something indoors might be the way to go.

The CMC JazZ Project performs at a show in Salida last summer. The group plays Leadville this Sunday.

And if you’re on a tight budget then this Sunday’s FREE jazz performance might be just the ticket, especially if Mom appreciates a good horn section!

On May 10, the Colorado Mountain College (CMC) JaZz Project will perform at 6 p.m. in the Auditorium of Lake County High School (LCHS) in Leadville with special guests The LCHS Cloud City Jazz Band under the direction of Jonathan Cole. Also, for those not able to attend, Sunday’s concert will be Web-Cast live from the school’s website. 

Video of Jazz Performance from Fall Concert Series
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The concert is part of the CMC Spring Jazz Concert Events, which will also mark the 10th Anniversary of the creation of “The CMC JaZz Project”. The project’s membership is a combination of students enrolled in CMC, area high school students, and many community members drawn from Salida, Buena Vista, Leadville, and some from Cotopaxi and Colorado Springs.

Music for this concert will be a collection of “Favorites” from the last 19 jazz concert series. Many of the selections were concert openers and closers and include the music of: Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Gordon Goodwin, Arturo Sandoval, Doc Severinsen & The Tonight Show Band, Tower of Power and Stan Kenton.

The concert is free and open to the public. Although donations accepted at performances with all proceeds going towards the purchase of new music.

Prior to the Leadville show the ensemble will put on a Salida show on Friday, May 8 starting at 7 p.m. at the Steam Plant Theatre, 220 W. Sackett Ave. Special guests at this concert will include the Salida High School Jazz Band under the direction of Andre Wilkins.

Otherwise, there will be one more opportunity to see “The CMC JaZz Project” for their final concert in the series on Tuesday, May 12. This show will be held where it all began 10 years ago in the newly renovated auditorium of Valley Fellowship Church, 608 South San Juan in Buena Vista. The evening’s concert will also feature special guests: the Buena Vista High School Jazz Band under the Direction of Mr. John Topfer and several of the original alumni of the group from 10 years ago.

So, come and enjoy an evening of America’s great music and celebrate the growth of a remarkable Jazz Ensemble.

Panthers’ Jazz Band Take Top Honors at Competition

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Last weekend, the Lake County High School (LCHS) Concert & Jazz bands had an outstanding weekend performing in the Canon City Music and Blossom Festival Competition. The LCHS Concert band took second and the Cloud City Jazz Band took top honors. Every spring, the Cañon City Music and Blossom Festival features national high school, middle school and junior high school bands, competing in areas of Concert Band, Jazz Band, Parade and Orchestra.

Competitions are held at the Florence High School Performing Arts Center. The Blossom Festival is the largest school band competition in the state, so a hearty Congratulations! to all the Leadville student musicians and to Jonathan Cole, LCHS Band Director! Thank you for making Lake County proud!

Hard work & dedication pay off! Pictured here last July, the lake County High School band practices formation and marching under the direction of Jonathan Cole. Photo: Leadville Today.