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Jazz teacher will practise what he teaches

KSS Jazz Extravaganza set for March 12 at Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
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Kwalikum Secondary School music teacher Dave Stewart will once again take the stage with his students at the annual Jazz Extravaganza, but this year he’ll also be there as a musician.

This is the first time Stewart, who is a member of the night’s guest group Project 8, will play at the event.

“I thought it would be cool to do that,” he said, adding that he wanted to show the students that he practises what he teaches.

The night will also feature two student jazz bands and a vocal jazz group performing a range of musical styles from ballads to swing to funk. Stewart said some of this music was played by the students on their recent trip to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho.

“They did really well,” he said of the students’ performances. KSS also brought home the top soprano vocalist award, as well as noteworthy performance and trombone from the festival.

While the official program starts at 7 p.m., doors to the Extravaganza will open at 6 p.m. and a selection of soloists and small combos will take the stage soon after to play for the audience as they come in.

“We’ve got too much music,” explained Stewart of the pre-show. “We’re going to keep it (the main program) to two hours.”

Linda Hildebrandt, who has two children in the school’s band program and is one of the Extravaganza’s volunteer organizers, is happy her kids have the opportunity to play in the event. “It gives them confidence … and exposes them to a large audience,” she said. “It gives them a sense of professionalism.”

The KSS Jazz Extravaganza will be held on March 12 at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. Tickets are $25 each, which includes coffee and dessert, and can be purchased at What’s Cooking in Qualicum Beach, Flix ’n’ Pix Video in Parksville and at the door.

“It should be a heck of a good concert,” said Stewart.