Swing & Jazz Preservation Society

Swing & Jazz Preservation Society provides big band, swing and jazz concerts to the public and provides financial support to Palm Beach County public school music programs.

Jazz Concerts in Boca Raton – Open to the Public

This year we are holding 4 primary concerts, which comprise our Main Series. Members of our organization receive concert details in advance, and will also be invited to smaller local music events that support our cause. You can buy Concert Tickets now Online via Credit Card by Clicking Here.

The 2015/2016 Concert Schedule:

Our 2015-2016 season will remain at Olympic Heights H. S., Lyons Rd., Boca Raton. This 850 seat auditorium has showcased many professional production companies over the past 20 years and has the engineering talent, sound and lighting equipment to enhance every show

• Dec. 15,2015 Jazz Ratz Big Band 
• Jan. 19, 2015Gary Farr All-Star Big Band
• Feb. 16, 2015 -- Bill Allred Band
• Mar. 15, 2015 -- Dave Gibble & The Tuesday Night Big Band

Purchase your tickets here

Interns join The Bridge Project





Harley Galeano                     Joshua Hill

The Bridge Project welcomes musicians Harley Galeano and Joshua Hill. Harley and Joshua will be assisting Mr. Bacher while playing jazz with the students this term, October- December.

Harley Galeano is a freelance drummer and percussion instructor. He currently studies privately with Frank Derrick as well as in the jazz program at Palm Beach State College under the direction of Dave Gibble. Harley’s musical accomplishments include playing as part of the Palm Beach County All District Concert Band and Palm Beach County All District Jazz Band.  Harley is looking forward to sharing his passion for jazz with Bridge Project students and the community.

Joshua Hill, upright bass player, studied music and engineering at the University of Miami. He has performed with Frost Symphony Orchestra at University of Miami in venues such as Adrienne Arsht Center.  Joshua currently works as a sound engineer and studies jazz at Palm Beach State College under the direction of  Dave Tomasello. Joshua is excited to assist with the Bridge Project and feels it is another great opportunity to play jazz and share his passion.

The Bridge Project Jazz Ambassador experience

The Bridge Project Jazz Combo was represented by Atlantic Community High School and Dreyfoos School of the Arts Jazz students.  The group opened for Jazz Ambassadors. Later during the concert, some students had the opportunity to sit in with the pros.

"I Thought About You."  

"Freddie Free Loader"

"Mr. Timmons"

The The Bridge Project/ Atlantic Community HS players
sitting in with Jazz Ambassadors: trumpet, trombone. Blanche Ely HS player on alto sax.

Special thanks to the United States Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors for the opportunity and education outreach, Arts Garage, Pompano Amphitheater. The students had a blast!

We are always seeking students to join The Bridge Project.  Contact Laurie Hansen 561-577-2652

VOLUNTEERING MATTERS: Shout out to KapConsulting!

A special thanks to KapConsulting.  We are working with interns from the Kaplan University

United States Army Jazz Ambassadors
http://www.armyfieldband.com/pages/ensembles/ja.html

program.  The interns are helping promote, create a social media presence and a Kaplan Radio ad for The Bridge Project.

We are focusing on growing Swing & Jazz Preservation Society membership.  We are also working with Arts Garage and our students to coordinate a unique opportunity where The Bridge Project Jazz Combo will open for The United States Army Field Band: Jazz Ambassadors.  In addition,our trumpet player, Mary. will sit in as third trumpet with Jazz Ambassadors.  Exciting things to come!  Thank you Kaplan University!  KU is helping keep jazz alive!

CALL FOR MUSICIANS

The Bridge Project is not just a music class, it is a unique opportunity.  Students will

• study with world-class jazz guitarist and teacher, Neil Bacher
• participate in a jazz combo
• hone jazz skills as well as in a variety of groups, i.e. duos, trios, quartets, etc..
• learn, practice and perform jazz standards and develop a repertoire
• practice listening exercises and singing exercises
• learn solo and improvisation skills
• learn to transpose in a variety of keys
• learn relationships between melody and accompaniment
• learn to communicate musically and develop listening and musical interaction in a group
• learn to communicate verbally and develop listening and verbal interaction in a group
• build confidence, leadership skills
• learn and practice professionalism and communication skills
• perform in professional settings
• promote and share jazz within the community, earn community service hours
• gain experience to be documented and included on college applications
• become a better musician
• HAVE FUN

FAU Sept 1

Term 3: Community Performances

The Bridge Project was developed in partnership with Swing & Jazz Preservation Society, Arts Garage, and Palm Beach Band Camps. These groups share a similar mission: To preserve jazz, our American treasure. These young musicians wish to share  their  love of jazz with the community and cultivate enthusiasm for the art form across generations. Currently, the Bridge Project  eight band members range from ages 13- 17 and perform jazz standards:  Anna, vocals; Mary, trumpet; Jackie, saxophone; Marcus, trombone; Connor, guitar;  Dylan, guitar; Michael. upright acoustic bass Emily on drum set. The group performs jazz standards, swing, bossa novas and ballads and have 1- 1 ½  hours of repertoire.

Allegro Senior Living, July 15, 2015

The students were a big hit!   Allegro Senior Living is a very new establishment and the students were the first entertainment booked.  The students were very well-received and have been invited back.  The director is in support of inter-generational activities and agrees this is an excellent fit for the band and Allegro.  Most likely, Allegro will become a regular gig for The Bridge Project.

Term 2: Surprise Guest, Duffy Jackson!

Duffy Jackson heard what was happening on Saturdays at Arts Garage and he surprised the students with an unsuspected visit!  The students were thrilled! Some of the group went to see Duffy's performance later that evening at Arts Garage main stage.  Duffy Jackson has shared the stage with many jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie Orchestra.  Check out Duffy's Youtube channel.

Student quotes

  

Upon sign up for the second term, students were asked why they wanted to join the group.  Some of the student responses included, “I want to keep jazz alive and enjoy playing and listening to the style….I'm used to playing in a big band setting and want to change things up...I appreciate the opportunities provided by this program...I love jazz! First semester was an amazing experience!” The passion and dedication of these students is apparent.

Recital/fundraiser May 23, 2015 at Arts Garage

The Bridge Project recital/fundraiser on May 23, 2015 was held at the Arts Garage.  The house was filled with community members, educators, and families of the students who came to listen. Tickets were sold on the Arts Garage website, mailers sent to the Arts Garage mailing list,    , 

Community sponsors who donated items for the raffle included: Kravit Architecture, N2 winebar, Caffe Luna Rosa, Two fat Cookies, Nothin But Natural, Palm Beach Gym, Delray Beach School of Dance, Swing & Jazz Preservation Society, Arts Garage, Eric Hansen. Eric Hansen also served as sound and lighting technician during the show. The show was video recorded by a young, local start-up company, Shutter Spectrum, 

2 Songs were performed by Neil Bacher, Dave Gibble.Alone together, composed by Arthur Schwartz with lyrics by Howard Dietz.Peace by Horace Silver

Students performed the following jazz standards

Lullaby of Birdland  Composer George Shearing, lyricist George David Weiss

Autumn Leaves Composers Joseph Kosma /Johnny Mercer, lyricist Jacques Prévert

One Note Samba  Composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, (English) lyricist Antonio Carlos Jobim

Emily   Composer Johnny Mandel, lyricist Johnny Mercer

All of Me  Composer Seymour Simons, lyricist Gerald Marks        

Blue Monk Composer Thelonious Monk

Mr. Bacher (guitar) and Mr.Gibble (trumpet)  joined the students in performing Blue Monk in a grand finale.

                                                         

Student performers, in alphabetical order by last name: Lydia Castillo, Vocals; Anna Dillon, Vocals; Mary Dillon, trumpet;Ryan Horoff, Saxophone; Dylan Kislin, guitar

Emily Moorehead, Drum Set;   Michael Santos, Upright Acoustic Bass. 

A shout out goes to Lauren Palmieri who served as Arts Garage Education Coordinator during that time.  We could not have done it without her.  

A group of grateful jazz musicians pictured here with Mr. Mort Mazor, VP of Swing & Jazz Preservation Society.  We could't have done it without the support of the Swing & Jazz Preservation Society Board and members!  Please join the organization, enjoy concert tickets while helping us preserve jazz! Visit http://www.swingjazzfl.com/

The Bridge Project: Term 1

The Bridge Project: Term 1

April 4- May 23

Most of the students knew each other from music related events and experiences, such as Palm Beach County Jazz Camp.  When new members join the group, the students welcome them and they become acquainted quickly as they all share the same love: JAZZ.

The students are very fond of their instructor, Mr. Neil Bacher. He is a serious musician with a great sense of humor. Mr. Bacher is not only a world-renowned jazz guitarist and the Bridge Project instructor, he is also a music instructor at Palm Beach State College and Palm Beach Jazz Camp.  

The Young Jazz Project

 ...at the Delray Beach Christmas Tree Lighting 2013.

The Young Jazz Project was offered to students with the help and support of Drew Tucker, Arts Garage and staff.  Laurie Hansen organized and assisted. The group met for two terms and consisted of jazz students from Palm Beach County ranging from middle school to high school.Four of the members of this group are now part of the Bridge Project.