On Friday, June 3, the El Dorado High School jazz program performed in the fifth annual Jazz Master Concert at the PYLUSD Performing Arts Center (PAC) under the direction of EDHS Jazz Director Eric Samson. The 2016 guest artist was world-renowned Hammond B-3 Organist Joey DeFrancesco. He performed with all three El Dorado jazz bands, which also featured many jazz musicians from EDHS.
Joey DeFrancesco said, “I was very impressed with students that played in all El Dorado big bands. They have great attitudes, display professionalism as young musicians and express a real joy for music. Eric Samson is a fine teacher. His dedication and enthusiasm to continue to further musical arts is clearly obvious to anyone observing him. Eric and his students share a wonderful camaraderie with each other, and it was a pleasure to be part of it.”
As a bonus, Dr. Glenn Cashman from Colgate University in New York played the tenor saxophone with the Jazz 1 Band on a piece that he composed. Dr. Cashman was one of Mr. Samson’s professors at California State University, Fullerton, when he was a student there. Dr. Cashman stated: “The students were well trained musically, prepared, enthusiastic and inspired to greater heights due to their interaction with Joey DeFrancesco. That evening gave me hope about the future of Jazz with so many young people involved!”
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