Image courtesy embracingthecloud.com

Jazz players from the El Paso area came to compete for a spot in one of the two jazz bands here at Hanks this past Saturday.

“All Region Jazz is a high school thing from all through out the El Paso area,” said band director Doug Brown. “Those that are intrested in jazz are given several etudes -or studies- on their specific instrument and they come in and compete against each other and audition.”

From all the students that try out they take enough to fill up two jazz bands although it still depends on instruments. Ten trumpets, ten saxophones, about eight trombones and a rythym section which consists of a bass, guitar and drums.

Judges listen from behind a paper that covers them so students can’t see who they’re being judged by, it is also done to keep the  auditions non-biased. Judges hold a copy of the music with them and they listen for particular spots which they believe may be found difficult for more than one student.

“I’ll be judging trumpets so we expect to hear students that are well prepared,” said Brown. “They have to play three etudes all different styles and they also have to improvise a solo on their audition.”

All-Region Jazz Tryouts are a big thing for Hanks and for at least the last five years Hanks has dominated.

“Last year we had twelve members,” said Brown. “Thats more than double any other high school in the area.”

This year, however, they cranked it up a notch. The overall statistics were: Hanks-14,  Del Valle-10,  Coronado-4,  Eastwood-4,  Horizon-3,  Americas-2,  Bel-Air-2, and Chapin-1

Hanks had six members in the top jazz ensemble: senior Greg Bustamante ranked second – alto saxophone; senior Zenus Binder ranked first – tenor saxophone; senior Luis Vasquez ranked first – bari-saxophone; sophomore Ricky Pallanes ranked first – bass-trombone; senior Rene carbaja ranked first – guitar; senior Erick Howell ranked first – bass guitar.

The second jazz band consists of eight members from Hanks: sophomore Justin Wilcox ranked second – alto saxophone; senior Jeffrey Brown ranked first – tenor saxophone; junior Kcee Binder ranked second – tenor saxophone; freshman Tony Leon ranked second – trumpet; sophomore Anthony Hernandez ranked fourth – trumpet; senior David Garcia ranked first – trombone. Sophomore robert Escobar ranked fourth trombone. Javier Acala ranked second guitar.

“I’m really glad I made it,” said sophomore Robert Escobar. “I had hoped for a higher ranking but I at least made it.”

Hanks left a big impact on many high schools. All the band members hope to do now is dominate the All-Region tryouts in December.