Loyal friends, parents, and fellow musicians ventured into the cold on Friday evening, February 27^th, to attend the Kent School Winter Concert. The audience was rewarded with a night of fast-paced and uplifting music performed by the Jazz Combo, the Jazz Band, with vocals from soloist, Sally Ngoje, and the Kentones and Kentettes.

The Kentones and Kentettes, under the direction of Barbara Harris Kovacs, performed a lively version of “Pick Up the Pieces” accompanied by Max Scanlon on piano, Will Adler and Andre Cardenas on guitars, and Mario Cardenas on drums. Dressed in their uniform black with bright, royal blue tie and sash accents, the singers be-bopped on stage despite an arm sling and a pair of crutches. Usually an a cappella group, the coupling of the Kentones and Kentettes with the jazz band was a nice nod to their shared history. The title “Kentones” was first used by an informal group of jazz musicians at Kent School in 1951. When the band members graduated, the term Kentones fell out of use until 1958 when it was adopted by Kent School’s male a cappella group, “The Baker’s Dozen.” Despite a decrease in membership during the early 1980s, the Kentones have been a strong addition to the vocal offerings at Kent School ever since. In 1961, Glee club director, Lee Gilliam organized the Kentettes, an all-female a cappella group, that has remained unstoppable.

Jazz music has been performed by Kent school students since 1920. During its early years, members of the faculty questioned the educational value of jazz and some students wanted it banned altogether in favor of classical music; fortunately, jazz prevailed. Kent School has some very talented jazz musicians. Guitarists Will Adler, Andre Cardenas, Alec Cardenas, and Carl Worth, who delighted us earlier this year at the Guitar Concert, did not disappoint. Lachlan Cormie stole the spotlight at least three times with sultry solos on his tenor saxophone. Sally Ngoje, swayed at center stage as she belted out a terrific rendition of “Cry Me A River” accompanied by the Jazz Band. Other notable solos were given by keyboardist Max Scanlon, trumpeter Ryan Nadire, saxophonist Liam Nadire, Jack Ellis on drums, and Jackson Norris on trombone. Finally, a nod should be given to the adult members of these bands, (some of whom admitted to watching Jackson Norris for their cues) who gave their time to round out the bands – adjunct faculty members, Dave Wonsey and David Poirier; Michael Magnifico, Ray Zelazny, Lee Sohl, Wink Lampe, and Mario Cardenas; and, of course, the Director of the Jazz Band, Tom Bouldin.

The Spring Concert is scheduled for Friday, April 24th in Mattison Auditorium.