Big Band &
Jazz Ensemble
About us
Big Band is the NEW (2023!) combined East and West jazz group which rehearses on Thursdays during lunch (11:40-12:25) in the music room. West students are transported to East via Mr. Weisman's car and require a transportation waiver. This group is put together in a traditional jazz band setup with a rhythm section (guitar, bass, drums, piano), 4 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, and occasionally vocalists.
Jazz Ensemble East is the Sturgis East jazz band which rehearses on Tuesdays during lunch (11:40-12:25) in the music room. It is a group that welcomes any kind of instrumentalist interested in learning about jazz/contemporary music history, repertoire, and improvisation.
Who should join? Students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in one - or both - of these extracurricular groups. Students joining these groups are not required to have previous music experience, but knowledge of reading sheet music, a developed ear, or a general passion and dedication to music making will help! Please discuss participation with the director prior to participating.
What do the groups play? A mix of jazz styles are presented in these groups - from swing to bossa, funk to more experimental jazz styles. Student suggestions, particularly from upper classmen, are often honored.
Recordings/Archives:
Spring 2023 -
Jazz Big Band Inaugural Performance! "Basically Blues" - Phil Wilson (video on the top left)
Jazz Ensemble East "Don't Mean A Thing" - Duke Ellington (video middle left)
Winter 2019 -
Jazz Ensemble - "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" - Joe Zawinul
Jazz Combo - "What Do You Say Dr. J?" - James Williams
Jazz Combo - "Watermelon Man" - Herbie Hancock
Who do I contact if I'd like to join? Email the director, Mr. Bart Weisman, bartweisman@bartweisman.com. Bart Weisman performs across Cape Cod with his Jazz Group, Klezmer Swing Group, Smooth Jazz Group, and the Cape Cod Jazz Quintet. Bart has worked with a number of musicians on Cape Cod including: J. Geils, Molly Ringwald, Rebecca Parris, Lou Colombo, Dick Johnson, and many more. Bart is the Executive Producer & Performer for the Provincetown Jazz Festival and performs year-round at the Grand Cru Restaurant & The West End in Hyannis. Bart is Jazz Band Director at Sturgis Charter Public School East and at the Cape Symphony he is the Director & Peformer for Jazz in the Schools. Bart relocated to Cape Cod from Washington, D.C. where he was a musician with The United States Air Force Band.
For more information about Bart, visit this awesome featured article about him!