On Stage—Denver School of the Arts, Jazz Workshop Orchestra

Tune in Saturday, May 9,  at 10pm, for “On Stage,” KUVO’s archive program from the Phyllis A. Greer Studio.

The Denver School of the Arts, Jazz Workshop Orchestra is 25 years old this year. Director of Bands, Dave Hammond, has been at the helm of this outstanding music program since the beginning.

This weekend, Dave and his students were scheduled to perform at the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival at Jazz At Lincoln Center in New York City. Each finalist band receives an in-school workshop led by a professional musician before coming to New York. Once they arrive in New York they perform before Wynton Marsalis and a panel of judges. The festival concludes with a concert and awards ceremony featuring the three top-placing bands and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. COVID-19 sidelined their musical journey. While an unfortunate circumstance to miss the competition this year, the students were recently thrilled to learn that the Jazz Workshop Orchestra became co-winners of Downbeat Magazines 43rd Annual Student Music Award, for Large Jazz Ensemble at a Performing Arts High School. Hard work and dedication paved the way for the 2020 Jazz Workshop Orchestra to excel and KUVO is proud to share a few of their performances, as well as music by previous DSA Jazz Workshop Orchestras.

Tune in Saturday at 10pm, when “On Stage” presents some outstanding performances by the Denver School of the Arts Jazz Workshop Orchestra. Exclusively on KUVO, listen from anywhere when you stream us.