Written by PA interns Steven Ji, Elizabeth Nam, and Gloria Radford.

On Saturday, March 12th, Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble (TYJE) put on a splendid performance at the Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex, NC. 

Prior to the concert, TYJE had the privilege of working with Grammy-nominated guest clinician Alphonso Horne of the NYC-based jazz band Gotham Kings. TYJO also had the opportunity to sit in with the Gotham Kings at Sharp Nine Gallery, a jazz club in Durham, NC.

The ensemble performed the following pieces: Black Butterfly by Duke Ellington, Stablemates by Benny Golson, Smada by Billy Strayhorn, Don’t Git Sassy by Thad Jones, Whisper Not by Benny Golson, Trombonio by Duke Ellington, Blue and Sentimental by Count Basie, Mark David, and Jerry Livingston, Blue Room by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart, Down South Camp Meeting by Fletcher Henderson, Four Brothers by Jimmy Giuffre, and The Eternal Triangle by Sonny Stitt.

Conductor Dr. Gregg Gelb is a saxophonist, clarinetist, band leader, arranger, composer, and educator. Outside of his conducting for TYJE, Dr.Gelb is also the founder and director of the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra and a co-founder and player of the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra. 

“My favorite piece was Black Butterfly by Duke Ellington as it started out with the piano played by Ori Moore. It had a smooth, relaxing tone, and I felt like I was in a jazz cafe after a long day of hard work. The saxophone came in beautifully and was followed by the trombone. Both solos were executed exquisitely. It was the perfect piece to open up the jazz performance with, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.” -Elizabeth Nam, PA Intern. 

Mason, a TYJE saxophonist, commented on how happy he was as a musician to again perform at Halle Cultural Arts Center, the same location TYJE last performed pre-COVID. He also shared his excitement for the upcoming Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival in New York City. 

Special thanks to all the supportive parents and audience members who collectively raised a total of $2,000 to send TYJE to Essentially Ellington to NYC this spring! Shoutout to Alexia and Keith Rheinhardt who generously offered to match all donations raised during the concert. 

Thank everyone who attended, and as always, we look forward to seeing you again!