Foxborough Alum Directs Medfield High Jazz Band to the Top

Area jazz lovers need not travel to Boston or New York to hear amazing jazz musicians – especially when nationally recognized high school jazz bands are in your own backyard.

Over the last decade, in addition to Foxborough, other local public high schools like Medfield, Wellesley and Lexington, have repeatedly earned spots in the Charles Mingus High School competition at Manhattan School of Music and/or the Essentially Ellington competition at Lincoln Center, where Wynton Marsalis serves as host and judge.

 And while the students are clearly on a mission to earn top awards at these prestigious competitions, in the end, what they treasure most is the experience itself and the chance to meet other jazz musicians – both professionals and students alike.

 “Through Ellington, Mingus and other jazz festivals, symposiums and camps closer to home, our students enjoy getting to know jazz band members from Foxborough and other towns,” said Doug Olsen, Medfield music director, who is also a Foxborough resident, jazz band parent and alumnus. “Our schools may compete with each other at big events, but in the end it’s all about the music.

"Even beyond high school, the students make a point of staying connected – especially if they end up going to music school. Jazz is a collaborative experience, so being tapped into a large network of musicians is important.”

Olsen is hoping to see members of the Foxboro jazz community at Medfield’s annual Jazz Night, 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, which features three-time, Grammy-nominated trombonist and world-renowned jazz educator Conrad Herwig.

Conrad Herwig, who is connected with the Charles Mingus competition and Mingus Big Band, has performed and recorded with such jazz luminaries as Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Joe Henderson, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente and many others. Herwig’s album “The Latin Side of Wayne Shorter” was his most recent Grammy nomination for “Best Latin Jazz Album,” and was also named by jazz critics as one of the best albums of 2008. 

“Conrad Herwig is well known and admired among area high school and college jazz programs, so we hope local students and music educators will seize the chance to see him in Medfield,” said Olsen. 

Joining the stage with Herwig will be the Medfield High School jazz band, which earned a spot in both the 2012 Essentially Ellington at Lincoln Center, and the Charles Mingus competition at Manhattan School of Music.

Jazz Night kicks off at 7 p.m. on May 30 in the Medfield High School Lowell Mason Auditorium, 88R South Street. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students and seniors; and $12 online; educator tickets are free if reserved in advance through mail@medfieldmusicassociation.com. Tickets can be purchased at Lord’s Department Store or Medfield Needham Bank (both on Rte. 109 in Medfield), or online at http://medfieldmusicassociation.givezooks.com/events/medfield-jazz-night-2012. Tickets will also be sold at the door if still available.

Jazz Night is a Medfield Music Association event that raises funds to enhance the music program in Medfield public schools, including the funding of visiting clinicians and student scholarships. In addition to Needham Bank, sponsors are Clay Family Dealerships and Roche Bros.