Anamosa Jazz I, in its second year under director Gerardo Gomez, kind of had a worst-to-first experience this year. After receiving a poor rating at their first contest, the band went on to qualify for Jazz Championships for the first time in 30 years! And they didn’t stop once they got there, achieving a Top 8 finish.
This was despite programming a contest set that was a little unconventional, featuring a tap dancer on Duke Ellington’s “Bojangles,” and the rock-edged Chris Merz tune “Alternate Title,” which was also their Corridor Jazz tune.
Leah Brown and Nick Raine’s Guest DJ set was equally eclectic, ranging from Sydney Bichet and Art Pepper to Aretha Franklin and… Jimi Hendrix!
Congratulations to Jazz I on a great year and thanks to Leah and Nick for telling us the stories behind it.
Leah and Nick’s playlist.
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