Community High Jazz Quintet features Jake Lee (trumpet), Tim Kohn (saxophones), Aris Chalin (piano), Jonah Eichner (bass) and Oliver Mayman (drums). Jake and Aris were in the CHS Jazz Combo that just won Best High School Combo in the June 2018 Downbeat International Student Music Awards competition. They all have won various awards, including soloist and top combo awards at The Western Invitational. Jake and Oliver were in a group called The Quintet that took second place in the 2018 MPrize Student Competition. All attended Victor Wooten’s camp with CHS Jazz this past April. They have also had the opportunity to attend CHS-hosted master classes with Tia Fuller, Ingrid Jensen, Allison Miller, Ellen Rowe, Victor Wooten, Bob Franceschini, Tamir Hendelman, and The Emmet Cohen Trio. The students have attended or collaborated with the following events: UM Jazz Day, The North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Jam Sessions at Cliff Bell’s, The Paul Keller Orchestra, The Western Jazz Invitational, Michigan State’s Tonight We Swing Summit, Wayne State’s Jazz Program, The CHS Jazz Blowout at The Ark, and many more.
The Community High Jazz Program is directed by Jack Wagner. Jack is a Jazz saxophonist, educator, and author. He received his B.M. Degree in Jazz Studies and Performance from William Paterson University and his Masters Degree and Teaching Certification from Ithaca College. Jack studied with Steve Wilson, Gary Smulyan, Jerry Bergonzi, Rufus Reid, John Riley, Steve Turre, David Berger, Conrad Herwig, Steven Mauk, Harold Mabern, Todd Coolman, Dave Demsey, Steve Brown, Mariann Ploger, and Kenny Burrell.
Community High Jazz Program’s website: https://www.communityhighjazz.org/