DaytonDailyNews.com

Another Weekend of Jazz is coming up at Beavercreek High School, and it promises to be a high-spirited event.

The ninth annual Weekend of Jazz, presented by the Beavercreek Music Parents Association, will have the Beavercreek High School Alumni Auditorium swaying to the music March 5-7.

The Herman Orchestra and Sylvan Street will headline the event.

 Sylvan Street, a group of professional jazz musicians from around the country, debuts its self-titled CD at 8 p.m. March 6. Sylvan Street's music is described as "dynamic, funky and very aggressive — an emotional and eclectic blend influenced by everything from Weather Report to Horace Silver to Talking Heads."

"It's a fusion of my diverse background in jazz, popular music, standards and rock 'n' roll," said Jay Rees, composer, bassist and band leader. 

Sylvan Street includes soaring trumpeter Chad Shoopman, improvisational saxophonist Kelland Thomas, Los Angeles guitarist Frank Browne, Chicago's multitalented drummer/singer Andrew Hix, and 15-year-old keyboard prodigy Evan Rees. Dough McCullough, the Beavercreek High School director of bands, will be a guest percussionist.

The Woody Herman "Thundering Herd" Orchestra, led by saxophonist Frank Tiberi, will bring the big band sound to the stage at 8 p.m. March 7.

The band mixes classics from the Herman bands of old with new arrangements to suit the band's exuberant, hard swinging style. As always, the program also will feature performances by high school jazz bands from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. At 7 p.m. March 5, the Beavercreek schools' jazz bands kick off the festival by performing in an open clinic.

On March 7, Beavercreek High School will be humming with continuous big band jazz performances by young musicians from Tri-State area high schools. Tickets for the Friday and Saturday evening performances are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students. They may be purchased online at www.WeekendOfJazz.org/tickets, or by calling the WOJ Ticket Hotline at (937) 412-1636. 

The event is supported in part by grants from Target, the Greene County Community Foundation and WDSJ Smooth Jazz 106.5, as well as donations from members of the Beavercreek community.