1972 Neff High School Jazz Ensemble 50th Anniversary 1972 Neff High School Jazz Ensemble

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Ev'ry Little Beat Helps
By Sam Nestico, written for the Count Basie Band
A straight-ahead, roaring chart that features the work of Bill McCoy on Piano, Glenn Jennings on Alto, and some wild drum breaks by Rod Mitchell.
La Suerte De Los Tontos
Written by the late English composer Johnny Richards
A Latin number which employs the polyrhythmic feeling of 3 against 2. The number builds in intensity until a frantic finale by Rod Mitchell on drums and Mark Schindler on various percussion instruments.
Mother Lode
Written by the noted Hollywood composer Dick Grove
This blues opens with the walking bass of Lynn Farny. The Saxes and Brass state the theme with a tasty solo added by Ron Vermillion. We jump in double-time with solos by Bill McCoy and Howard Hackett. The chart ends as it began, swinging slow and easy.
Hay Burner
Penned by Sam Nestico
A happy little tune that simmers along with Mark Osterhues and Glenn Jennings playing the line. In jumps the whole band with a roar followed by an intricate sax soli which test the chops of any sax section. The tune wends its way home with the trumpet and alto sax restating things and a good time is had by all.
Theme And Variation
By the very gifted writer Bill Holman
After the drums set down the time, Bill McCoy’s trombone states the theme and is shortly joined by his brother Ron, also on trombone. Saxes and Brass enter and finish the theme section with a bright little tutti. The variations start with the tenor saxes and soon every section is contributing its own idea. Lovers of Bach will enjoy hear-ing some of his devices used with a modern rhythmic setting.
Brazilian Fantasy
Written by Torrie Zito
A Latin tune used here to showcase the talents of our lead altoist Glenn Jennings. The tune wanders between 3/4 and 4/4 time without one realizing it, and ends with a roar.
Somewhere from "West Side Story"
The arrangement was originally written for Bill Chase when he was playing lead for Woody Herman
Features our lead trumpet player. Ron Vermillion is a very gifted player who is already working professionally and plans a career in music. We think you’ll see why when you hear him.
Get It On
By Bill Chase, one of the most exciting pieces written in 1971
Our album closer and our closer at our concerts and jazz festivals. Few groups have attempted this number because of the extreme demands placed on the trumpet section. When you listen to this, you’ll know why our trumpet section won the Gatzen Award as the “Most Outstanding Trumpet Section” while performing at the Corona Invitational Jazz Festival.

50th Anniversary Release

Originally released April 10, 1972, this album was recorded in the band room of Neff High School in La Mirada, CA. (Neff High School closed in 1983. The only remnant is the street called Trojan Way.) For this 50th Anniversary release, the album has been remastered and the original artwork recreated by Rich Clingman of SOVAT.org.

Amazing music performed by the award-winning 1972 Neff High School Jazz Ensemble. Additionally amazing because the musicians were 14- to 17-year-old high school boys.

Remastered and Recreated by Rich Clingman

In late 2022, original ensemble member and friend, Bob Shaw, let me borrow the album so I could investigate remastering the tracks. I wasn't a member of the ensemble, in fact, I could barely play my trombone, being a first-year musician. But I clearly remember being there as this album was recorded, hanging out in the mobile recording studio, watching the engineer cabling the mics to various parts of the band room to record groups of instruments. I remember the tape deck was huge. I'm guessing it was an 8-track 1-inch reel-to-reel recorder.

After ensuring there was no copyright on the album or art, I recorded the tracks using a quality turntable, running through my Midas M32, to Reaper digital audio workstation. I recreated the cover art (front) and liner notes (back) by scanning Bob Shaw's original

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To get the album out on the streaming services and stores, I used DistroKid. Spotify and other services won't allow individuals to submit music directly.

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Listen to the Vinyl

You can listen to the full album using an in-browser virtual phonograph player. A vinyl record is available for purchase.

To listen to the album, click on the player and there, click the "ON" button and set the needle on the album.

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Album Cover Art

Purchase The Vinyl

In addition to streaming and the digital purchases above, you can also Purchase the Vinyl.

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Background image by Joel Chavarría on Unsplash