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Bishop O'Dowd High School Jazz Bands End of the Year Blowout

Doors at 3:30 pm; Show at 4:00 pm

Tickets are $15 at the Door

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Hot jazz from dozens of fine young players in both big and small bands fills the Ashkenaz stage as the Bishop O’Dowd High School Jazz Band throws its annual “end-of-the-year blowout.” The band program at the East Oakland school has been around for years, but in the past few years under the direction of busy musician Fred Randolph (a gigging and recording jazz bassist in the Bay Area in a number of bands as well as leading his own quintet), the program has grown rapidly. There are now nearly 50 students in the jazz band program, and tonight’s show presents three groups: the beginning and advanced bands (both big bands) and a smaller jazz combo. They offer a delightful mix of jazz, from Chick Corea's "Spain" to the bebop of Miles Davis and the funky sounds of Stevie Wonder.