For months, PCDS students in the Jazz, World, and Popular Music Ensemble, also known as the 40th Street Band, have been tirelessly compiling a repertoire of songs from various genres, artists, and eras. Their hard work and practice ultimately culminated in a performance at the legendary Nash Jazz Club in Downtown Phoenix.

Founded in 2012, the Nash has provided a space for people across Arizona to enjoy, appreciate, and take part in the vibrant and ever-expanding art form and community of jazz. It is also a space where world-renowned musicians have performed. After undergoing a massive renovation, the Nash celebrated its Reopening and 12th Anniversary simultaneously. Dr. Botts, the PCDS Band Director, said, “I just think it’s a beautiful venue. It is a great place to be able to visit and to hear live music.”

Following a performance from the Middle School Jazz Band, the 40th Street Band took the stage. They opened with “Filthy McNasty” by Horace Silver, followed by Sade’s “Smooth Operator.” They also played “Tentación” by the Mexican-American group Eslabón Armado, Grateful Dead’s “West LA Fadeaway,” and Erykah Badu’s “Didn’t Cha Know,” featuring Freshman Ciara Crook on vocals. Students took improvised solos over the chord progressions of each song, demonstrating not only their proficiency with their respective instruments but also their musical creativity. After playing these songs as a full band, Freshman Sam Meltzer (guitar) and Junior Sid Vadnerkar (saxophone) performed a couple of classic jazz tunes: “Voyage” and “Reincarnation Of A Lovebird.” Finally, both Middle and Upper School bands took the stage to jam together on the jazz standard “Killer Joe.” Their set list’s mix of various genres piqued the many different musical interests of audience members. “The kinds of music you tend to hear at many high school jazz festivals is pretty limited in scope. It was really fun to help everyone learn a variety of classic jazz and jazz-inspired styles of music,” Dr. Botts commented.

The annual PCDS performance at the Nash is a special opportunity for band students to explore their interests in music and play at a renowned venue. “This is now the fourth year that we’ve gone down to the Nash to perform and, to me, it seems like a no-brainer to give students an experience that is kind of like no other,” Dr. Botts stated. “To perform at a really high-class, world-class jazz club is not something that all high school students get to do.” 

This tradition is memorable and unique for all students, and will undoubtedly be continued in years to come. Dr. Botts concluded, “I think it just adds a little something extra to the preparation for a performance when you know you’re going to be giving it in a really special place.”