For all those hepcats out there, it’s time to dust off those dancing shoes, for men to put on their coolest suspenders, for women to wear dresses that twirl just right and head to CV High School to do the Lindy Hop.

By Mary O’KEEFE

For the 10th year, the Crescenta Valley High School award winning jazz band will be performing big band classics at the school for the community at Jazz Night at the Café on Jan. 31.

“Come dance away your post-holiday blues,” invited Dena Blood, parent member of CVIM. “Fulfill one of your New Year’s resolutions to be more active and dance or stomp your feet to the soothing jazz tunes of the CVHS award winning jazz band.”

The night is like a time warp to the 1940s as hepcats cut a rug at a killer diller event that won’t take a lot of lettuce to be on the beam. In other words, everyone can come and have a great time without spending a lot of money while having an amazing time.

The CVHS jazz band is often seen and heard at events throughout the community. They play music from Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and other favorites from the big-band era, and the teenagers play the music as if they were born for it … even though this music was first made popular about 80 years ago.

“The jazz band is the smallest music group at CV,” said Eugene Yoo, the band’s president, a drummer and a CVHS senior. 

He said the band is a family and works together as they perfect their music. Although, he said, they don’t talk about the history of big band music he does know what America was like at the time.

Big band is the time referred to as the “swing-era” that began in the mid 1930s and continued through the 1940s. It was born of a time when the country was climbing out of a depression only to face World War II. It is said to have begun in the jazz clubs of New Orleans, Chicago and Kansas City and soon took over the country. Men took the music with them as they went off to fight in WWII and clubs in America, including USO clubs, filled with kids dancing the Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie.

Yoo added that even though the musicians don’t focus on the history they are aware of the feeling of each piece of music.

The bottom line is that it was a time of great jazz and the dancing reflected that fun.

“It is fun to play and listening to it is equally as fun. I feel the groove, the rhythm,” he said.

Dance is a big part of Jazz Night at the Café. The doors open at 7 p.m. and dance classes are offered at 7:30 p.m.

“It’s really fun to see how we start off and then everyone gets excited and [starts] dancing,” Yoo said. “It’s exciting to play [this music].”

For those who have attended this event in the past, one of the most endearing parts of the night is how everyone has fun. From toddlers to great-grandparents, the music seems to bridge all gaps. It doesn’t matter if someone is a professional dancer or is hearing this music for the first time; the audience just falls into the rhythm of the night.

“And not everyone has to dance,” Yoo added.

In addition to having a great night, it is also a way to support these amazing musicians.

“All proceeds benefit the entire CVHS music program. We are very grateful for the community’s support,” Blood said. “These high school jazz musicians are highly trained and will amaze you with their musical prowess.”

There is limited space so it is advised to take advantage of ticket presales. Tickets for everyone are $10 presale, $12 at the door. This includes free swing dance lessons and snacks that include a chocolate fountain in which to dip fruit and pastries.  A table can be reserved for $60, which includes admission for four people.

To buy presale tickets, Venmo @Dena-Blood and the purchaser’s name will be on the list at the door. For those who do not use Venmo and want a physical ticket, buy from a CVHS music student or call CVHS (818) 249-5871 and ask for Mathew Schick, band director, or mail a check for $10 per person to CVHS, Attn: Mr. Schick, 2900 Community Ave., La Crescenta, California 91214.

For any questions, email Dena.blood@yahoo.com.

Jazz Night at the Café is held in the school cafeteria at the intersection of Prospect and Glenwood avenues.

  Mary Okeefe