Local musicians parts of jazz band

By Staff
Submitted, Hartselle Enquirer
The Wallace State Jazz Show Band recently returned from an eight-day concert tour in Florida.
The band began its tour with a stop in central Florida and a performance at the Friends of the Band Shell Concert. The event features musicians each Friday night playing for the patrons of Daytona Beach. Director Robert Bean said the event provided students the opportunity to play for a wide audience. "We had all age groups present and had to play a wide variety of music to accommodate everyone," he said.
The group played next at Surfside on the shores of Daytona with a big band and more danceable performance. "This was a time for us to demonstrate our big band sound. We played dancing music like the Cha Cha and Waltz for the audience," Bean said.
SeaWorld was the next stop for the Wallace State musicians. The group closed the new Shamu performance for an audience of about 23,000.
"This was an incredible environment for us. It was great for the students to get to play in front of so many people and show the audience the quality of the Wallace State music program," he said.
Finally, the group entertained the Ponce de Leon inlet community in a three-hour performance. Community members brought food and enjoyed the evening of music as the band played a mixture of songs including big band and patriotic themes.
"I was very proud of our students," Bean said. "They have worked very hard and it paid off for them. There was a lot of communication and teamwork involved and everyone did their part to make the trip a successful one. I was very pleased and quite fascinated at times with their progress. I also want to thank Mr. (Ricky) Burks for all the hard work he put into this trip."
Bean said 17 students made the trip, which is the standard size for a big band. Returning musicians and incoming freshmen will come together late in the summer to begin to prepare next semester's musical selections.
Members of the Wallace State Jazz Show Band are Lindsey Jett of Bremen, baritone saxophone; Whitney Hayes of Hartselle, tenor saxophone; Phillip Potor of Cullman, drums; Kelsey Moore of Hanceville, electric bass; Kelly Canterbury of Cullman, alto saxophone; Jay Lumley of Cullman, trombone; Tim Parker of Good Hope, trumpet; Brett Alldredge of Cullman, trombone; Derrek Sellers of Hanceville, guitar; Jordan Fitzgerald of Baileyton, piano; Josh Peeples of Good Hope, trumpet; Ryan Thompson of Cullman, alto saxophone; Aaron Laney of Cullman, trumpet; Greg Earnest of Cullman, trumpet; Jonathan Fox of Warrior, trombone; and Michael Clements of Hayden, percussion.