Flowing chocolate and swing music by the Crescenta Valley High School jazz band guarantees a night of fun.

By Julian MITCHELL

The Crescenta Valley High School jazz band is busy tuning its instruments in preparation for the annual Jazz Night at the Café. The musical extravaganza takes place on Friday, Feb. 8 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the CVHS cafeteria located at the intersection of Glenwood and Prospect avenues in La Crescenta.

“It’s a good way to get the community to hear one of our groups play,” said Mathew Schick, the band’s director and head of the school’s instrumental music department.

The Jazz Night at the Café tradition extends back over 10 years and will again feature a night of tunes, dancing and chocolate. Former BYU ballroom team dancer David Blood and CVHS senior Katie Blood will be hosting free swing dancing lessons for those who wish to be prepared for the dance floor.

“The Jazz Night dance is one of my favorite events of the year,” said CVHS sophomore and jazz band keyboard player Kimmie Blood. “I grew up attending this event with my family and now I get to perform at it.”

All proceeds from the event will benefit the CVHS music department. The funds are expected to be earmarked for new uniforms for the marching band, which has not had new uniforms in nearly 20 years.

Jazz Night at the Café stands out among the many CVHS band events because it is one of the few events in which the audience can participate.

“The history of jazz music is movement,” said Schick. “It was made for people to move.”

The jazz band will be performing songs from its book of swing standards, including “In the Mood” made famous by Glenn Miller in the early 20th century. After its recent stop at Disneyland, the band will also be playing classic Disney tunes.

Schick noted that one of his favorite parts of the night is having alumni come back to see their alma mater in action. Occasionally alumni will also return to play some tunes. Because one player had to miss last year’s performance, Schick even stepped in to fill the void.

“I was nervous, but having experience definitely helped me,” said Schick.

He said he believes that Jazz Night, combined with all the students’ performances, serves as a great chance for them to learn and gain experience. He is always encouraging his students to perform whenever and wherever they’re given the opportunity so they will be better prepared to perform in any situation.

Over the years one of the defining features of the Jazz Night has been the chocolate fountain.

“We wanted a unique and delicious treat that people would look forward to every year,” said Dena Blood, a CVIM parent supporter and event coordinator of Jazz Night at the Café. “Who doesn’t love a fountain of flowing chocolate?”

Having a dessert fountain started years ago when a jazz band parent brought one to the event and since then it has been a staple of Jazz Night at the Café.

“We love the chocolate fountain,” confirmed Schick.

The fountain offers guests the chance to dip their favorite treats, provided by the CVIM parents, into chocolate.

Admission costs $10 for the general public, but only $8 for students with an ASB card.

For more information, contact Dena Blood at dena.blood@yahoo.com.

  Julian MITCHELL