Jordan Brent, bass, is leader of this fine young band, with Skyler Hagner alto sax, Alex Cross piano, and Josh Goslin drums.

At first the audience was apprehensive when they saw teenagers up on the stage, until the band broke into Girl from Ipanema, and everyone sat back and listened, stunned. The quality of their musicianship was superb.

Jordan Brent is from Wallingford, Connecticut. 18 years old, an acoustic bass player, whose solos full of variety and propulsion.

She’s a talented musician, and very smart.  She even designs her own clothes.

Jordan will be attending Brown University, taking Psychology in September.

Skyler Hagner is one of Art Hovey’s protégés from the Sugarfoot Jazz Band.

Now an accomplished professional, he plays in many genres of bands in the area and he’s sat in with the Galvanized Jazz Band.

This is Sky three years ago, when he played reeds with the Sugarfoot Jazz Band at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival.

This is only part of his vast collection of instruments.

Feelings, Nothing More Than Feelings!  Alex Cross is passionate about the piano, his intense facial expressions show it.

Young drummers haven’t had much exposure to jazz, especially the “laid-back,  just keep time” of the older styles of jazz.  A Train, alto sax playing the melody, enthusiastically conversing with drums.

Josh Goslin style is fluid, but focused on the snare drum.

Duke Ellington’s In a Sentimental Mood, fantastic sax.  Josh using brushes on snare, soft and sentimental. He’s perfectly capable of slam-banging Gene Krupa-style, but maintains his composure for this particular audience.  Segue into a blistering Saints, still with the brushes.

We learned later that this group generally plays modern jazz, but were advised to play some Dixieland for this crowd by Ross, Ken, and a tuba player (who will remain anonymous).   They pulled if off!  Let’s hope they keep playing our music for younger folks out there.