Jazz Band and EnsemblesEvents |
Founded in 1978 by Mr. Gary Washburn, the Jazz Band found it's humble beginnings in the new band room at Honoka'a High School on the Big Island of Hawaii. Since its original size of about 13 students, the Jazz Band has since grown to about 32 students. Members rotate in and out of the Jazz Band as students enter and graduate high school, leaving each year a slightly new band to carry on the longstanding tradition of excellence. Winning a Grammy Award in 201,1 and thus becoming a Grammy Signature School, the Honoka'a Jazz Band continues to maintain high standards and expect much from each round of new (and old) band members.
The Honoka'a High School Jazz Band is a group of advanced music students who uphold a long tradition of excellence at Honoka'a High and Intermediate School. Under the direction of Gary Washburn, a dedicated teacher and accomplished jazz artist, the band is considered one of the state's top high school bands. As a Jazz Band, we play a variety of music styles for a variety of audiences, ranging from blues, Latin tunes, and others. We have played at festivals, shopping centers, schools, and perfoming arts theatres, including Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Kahilu Theater in Kamuela. |
Gary Washburn: Gary_Washburn@notes,k12.hi.us
Mr. Gary Washburn received his Masters Degree from University of Hawaii, and attended Boston University where he completed his Doctoral Degree in Music. He worked in Los Angeles as a writer/arranger for Motown, and then moved to Hawaii where he became a composer, musician and school teacher. Mr. Washburn's award-winning concept of high school band is unique only unto itself. It is completely geared toward teaching students how to become popular music performers. Many of these students moved on from high school into the entertainment industry. In 2010, Mr. Washburn was awarded the “Class Nobel Educator of Distinction Award” and in 2011, the Grammy Foundation awarded him with a very sizable grant for his unique and outstanding band program. |