Niwot High jazz bands headline Nissi's

On Tuesday, March 4, the Niwot High School Jazz Bands took over the stage for "An Evening of Jazz" at Nissi's in Lafayette to headline for the bands' "Spectacle 2025: An Evening of Big Band Sounds" concert. Under the direction of Wade Hendricks, both the Left Hand Jazz Ensemble and Niwot All-Stars performed a full set of recognizable tunes for the crowd.

The Left Hand Jazz Ensemble featured Noah Barrios, Ayden Carter, Ben Enticott, Alaan Foster, Finn Graeden, Athil Henderson, Hikaru Johnson, Charles Jow, Winslow Kiefer, Sam Lindquist, Shaffer Piersol, Winston Richards, Noah Slupik, Kingston Staton, Charlotte Stauch, Kenneth Swanson, Emmett Troy, Daniel Watkins, Sean Williams, and McKenna Ye. They performed the hit songs "Fancy Pants" by Sammy Nestico with a trumpet solo performed by Piersol and "Die with a Smile" made famous by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars featuring Barrios on tenor sax.

Left Hand Jazz also had guest performers, with former NHS director of bands Doug Carmichael on saxophone, and James Barela on trumpet. They each made a statement with solos during "El Alma de la Banda" which means "Spirit of the Band" by Gordon Goodwin, as well as during "Car Wash," made famous by Rose Royce.

The Niwot All-Stars took the spotlight next. Members of the All-Stars are Gabe Bandera, Jon Cary, Xander Dzilvelis, Reid Goldin, Henry Hughes, Katie Liddell, Felipe Mejia, Evelyn Melis, Owen Simon, Jannik Stranzenbach, Dakota Valdez-Zimmerman, Midori Waterman, Aaron White, and Maddox Wilson.

The All-Stars started their set with "Fight of the Foo Birds" composed by Neal Hefti and adapted by Myles Collins, with solos from Carmichael and Barela, as well as student tenor saxophonist Waterman.

Kennah Brackett took the lead on vocals during "On the Street Where You Live" from My Fair Lady by Lerner & Loewe, which then transitioned into "Cafe Caliente" by Rich Woolworth with a saxophone solo from Liddell. "I Can't Get Started" by Vernon Duke and the famous song by Toto, "Rosanna" closed the set with a keyboard solo from Bandera.

Hendricks said a venue other than NHS makes the performance more entertaining for the students. "(They) love the professional treatment, such as lights and sound reinforcement, that professional venues provide." He adds that parents also "appreciate a nice restaurant feel" with dinner and a show.

Hendricks also expressed gratitude toward Marc Gitlin, owner of Nissi's, who offers student performing groups fifty-percent of the ticket sales as an additional fundraiser. "It's a good deal for everyone," said Hendricks.

He also made mention of the irony of having a jazz band concert on March 4, as it has become a date known amongst the band community as "Marching Band Day" as the date spoken out loud calls the command "march fo(u)rth."

Be sure to catch all Niwot High School bands' final concert on Thursday, May 8 at NHS starting at 6 p.m. This concert will feature both jazz bands, symphonic bands, and the percussion ensemble and will recognize graduating members of the class of 2025.