2 renowned jazz musicians to visit school

MERRIMACK – James Mastricola Upper Elementary School students have good reason to be jazzed.

This week, renowned musicians Jim Rotondi and Steve Davis will visit the school to work with band classes on jazz style and improvisation, capping the experience with a Friday night community concert including the New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra.

“I am very excited that our young, aspiring musicians will be performing with these highly respected, inspiring musicians,” said music instructor Bernice “Bunny” Saranita.

Rotondi, who plays trumpet, lives in New York City and performs, records, composes and teaches, according to his Web site. He joined fifth- and sixth-grade band students last year, too, instructing them and later performing Duke Ellington’s “C Jam Blues” with them as a concert finale.

This year, he will be joined by Davis, who plays trombone and is known for improvising and a hard swing style. Davis has won numerous awards and also teaches and plays with numerous musical groups.

Saranita called Rotondi and Davis “world-class performers,” adding that she hoped “many music students and community members from the surrounding areas will take advantage of this opportunity to hear Jim and Steve.”

In addition, James Mastricola band students will open and close the concert.

They include: Jared Sims, Mike Adams, Jim Cameron, Rod Ferland Jeff Jenkins on saxophone; Dave Sporny, Wayne Mogel, Scott Grant and Dave Bresnahan on trombone; Keith Kostick, Dave Umstead, George Stevens and Glenn DePine on trumpet; Mike Giordano on guitar; George Reagan on drums; and John Doherty on bass.

The concert is free. It starts at 7 p.m. and is expected to wrap up at 8 p.m. The event will be held in the all-purpose room of James Mastricola, at 26 Baboosic Lake Road.