Listen to the Tracks from the CD

Mercer Island High School photos by Glenn Nelson

About KPLU School of Jazz
In 2005, as part its continuing support of music education in the schools, KPLU developed a mentoring program involving bands from 10 high schools and one middle school, and the participation of 11 local jazz professionals.  The fruits of this partnership yielded KPLU School of Jazz.  The CD project was made possible through a grant from The Boeing Company.

Following the initial release of the first KPLU School of Jazz CD (Volume 1), the project began focusing exclusively on high school jazz bands, with a number of bands in the inaugural group returning, coupled with the introduction of new schools participating, resulting in Volume 2 (2006), Volume 3 (2007), and Volume 4 (2008).

KPLU School of Jazz – Volume 5 features some of the same high school jazz bands as the previous years’ projects, and includes a number of new guest artists.  The complete list of 2009 participants: Stadium High School (Tacoma), North Thurston High School (Olympia), Inglemoor High School (Bothell), Roosevelt High School (Seattle), Squalicum High School (Bellingham), Mercer Island High School (Mercer Island), Newport High School (Bellevue), Shorewood High School (Shoreline), Mountlake Terrace High School (Mountlake Terrace), Edmonds Woodway High School (Edmonds), Garfield High School (Seattle), and South Whidbey High School.

Guests artists included on KPLU School of Jazz – Volume 5: Lance Buller, Thomas Marriott, Jon Goforth, David Marriott, Steve Korn, Larry Holloway, Bruce Simpson, Cuong Vu, Neil Welch, Chris Stover, Michael Slivka, and Mark Taylor.  All proceeds benefit Western Washington school music programs.

KPLU thanks the following sponsors for their support: BECU, the Raynier Institute and Foundation's music division, "No Wasted Notes," King County Library System, Whole Foods Market, and the Red Kelly Jazz Foundation.  KPLU School of Jazz - Volume 5 will be made available for checkout through King County Library System's catalog available online, where songs can also be accessed for downloading. 

For more information, contact:
Beverly James, KPLU Underwriting Manager - (206) 922-1030  bjames@kplu.org
Brenda Goldstein-Young, KPLU Promotions Director - (206) 922-1027  bgoldstein@kplu.org