Jump N’ Jive Show Band is now two 17-piece ensembles. One rehearses on Tuesdays and the other on Wednesdays, so they are called the “Tuesday band” and “Wednesday band,” respectively. Each band is made up of five saxes, four trumpets, four trombones, piano, drums, guitar and bass. Each band also has its own director; Todd Steen, who plays trumpet and trombone, directs the Tuesday band and Jack Wagner, who plays alto, tenor and baritone sax, directs the Wednesday band.
The organization is in the process of incorporating as a 501c3 nonprofit. They have already raised some funds, but have not yet received any requests for instruments. Besides providing instruments to children, members of the organization also hope to inspire youth to desire to play — or at least learn to enjoy a form of music that they might not otherwise have been exposed to.
Now coming up on their first anniversary, the Jump N’ Jive Show Band is starting to develop a reputation and play some higher-profile gigs. They will be performing at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club on Tuesday, at a black tie event celebrating the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra’s 35th Anniversary on May 1 and they are also playing at a concert for the Clifton Cultural Arts Center in July.
Read more about Jump N' Jive here.
