Do you like jazz? Then you should take interest in the Taft Jazz Band. Jazz is a genre of music that originated in the African American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana. The Taft Jazz Band learns and plays pieces of music that honors this heritage, and through these concerts they share the love of jazz with others around them.
One of the many students who contribute is Koen Ziegenbein, a senior at Taft who plays in the Taft Jazz Band. He has been playing in the Jazz Band for a year. The instrument that Koen plays is the tenor sax, which he has been playing for two years consistently. Before he joined the Jazz band, he was in the band program for three years and is still currently in it. Ziegenbein enjoys the freedom you get when making jazz, and the sound of it is the cherry on top. His experience highlights the dedication and passion that many students bring to the program.
Past individual commitment, the Taft Jazz Band offers numerous opportunities for students interested in music. There are a variety of instruments to learn from and individual growth is gained through performing in front of others. Even if you can’t choose Taft Jazz Band as an elective there are after school programs such as Jazz Lab Band which allows students to participate and hone their skills.
Another student who has embraced these opportunities is Benjamin Montes. He is a junior who has been playing in the Taft Jazz band for two and a half years. He started playing music in sixth grade, he played a variety of instruments from bass, guitar, and trumpet. Montes expressed how at first, it was an adjustment getting into a new genre but overtime it became one of his favorite genres to listen to. His journey showcases how students can grow musically and develop a deep appreciation for jazz and music in general.
Similarly, Michael Ciesielski, a sophomore at Taft, found jazz to be a rewarding and transformative experience. Michael has been playing jazz for three years, in addition to previous music experience. He plays the guitar and enjoys how jazz has a lot of creative freedom, which has allowed him to express himself more freely approving his overall growth. “At first I was pretty nervous for concerts but now I look forward to them due to having fun with the people I play with,” said Ciesielski.
As he continues to pursue music, Ciesielski envisions a future in the field. He continued, explaining how he wants to pursue music as a career, potentially in sound engineering. “I recommend others to take this class especially if you already have interest or experience in music because it can only improve your skills since it can be a little challenging but fun,” said Ciesielski.
The Jazz Band is more than a musical group, it’s a community that fosters growth, companionship and passion for music. Don’t be afraid to try Jazz Band and learn about a new genre and its heritage, which is discussed in class and through field trip opportunities. There are many benefits to learning a musical instrument, as it encourages hard work ethic, teamwork, and enjoyment. People won’t know what they are capable of until they try.
Another student who has embraced the challenges and rewards of Jazz is Jaden Langcauon, a junior at Taft. He played music for four years, two of those years were spent playing the drums for the Taft Jazz band. “I chose jazz to try a new genre of music, I mostly played R&B, pop and rock, but jazz is chill which I enjoy,” said Langcauon.
Langcauon continued, explaining how getting into the new genre was hard at first especially with learning how to sight read. Although it was challenging he persevered and with experience he has started to explore marching band as well. He mentioned how he has grown as an individual, gaining confidence in taking the lead in concerts.
Beyond personal growth, Langcauon values the friendships and support he has found in Jazz Band. He remarks on the community built through being in Taft Jazz Band, “I have formed strong friendships and through us joking around and finding strength in each other we push each other to become better as musicians, while we grow in jazz experience,” said Langcauon.
The Taft Jazz Band offers an enriching experience for students of all backgrounds, musical or not. “I would recommend joining Jazz Band because it’s fun and it’s nice to see how different it sounds and the way jazz music has evolved. Especially, if you are into music jazz is a new take and it’s definitely worth trying and even if you’re completely new to music you can learn,” said Langcauon.
Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting, the Taft Jazz Band provides a welcoming space to explore jazz, connect with others and grow both musically and personally. It is not just about playing music; it’s about experiencing the culture, history and creativity that makes jazz so unique.
