Jazz Band

The Jazz Band meets every Thursday after Orchestra from 4.15pm to 5.00pm. This group welcomes any pupil who plays saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, double bass/bass guitar or drum kit.

After school on Thursdays once all the strings and woodwind have cleared off after orchestra, Grosvenor’s Jazz Band moves into the Lecture/Dance Hall to practice. We had lower numbers than usual this year and were missing key instruments, such as a trombone player. Despite this, the group of 9 or so players worked valiantly on preparing a program for the annual Spring Concert under the guidance of our committed conductor Mr Nigel Snell.

The group also entertains on open nights, and various musical assemblies throughout the year. This year we performed various styles of jazz, such as ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ arranged by John Berry, suitably contrasted by ‘Green Onion’ arranged by Roger Holmes. The band’s favourite piece or in fact the signature tune of GGS Jazz Band remains the uplifting ‘Birtdland’.

There’s good banter and a relaxed atmosphere during rehearsals and playing jazz really helps develop your musical ability and knowledge. The group is open to anyone who plays trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar, bass, drums, or keyboard and we rehearse from 4:15pm to 5pm on Thursdays. We are always happy to have new members, so if you play one of these instruments and want to have a go, you’re always welcome to come along!

Ben Russell 14 TG1