The stage of the Piazza IV Novembre traditionally hosts big bands from all-grade schools, from university colleges to high schools. They mostly come from the States, but this year, there is a band from the United Kingdom and one from the Czech Republic.
This is a crucial section of music in the squares because these orchestras play good music in a dimension of cultured amateurism and tomorrow’s professional jazzmen grow among those sections.
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Organized in 2001 under the direction of Caleb Chapman, the award-winning Crescent Super Band has frequently been hailed as one of the best professional bands in the world to be comprised entirely of young musicians. The band has been featured at many of the world’s most prominent music festivals including venues in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, and France.
On multiple occasions since 2007 DownBeat Magazine has recognized the Crescent Super Band with their coveted “Downbeat Award”, marking the band as the best in the country.
They’ve caught the attention of many of today’s top artists as well. Since its inception, the band has performed with over two hundred guest artists. Some of these include Grammy-winners Gordon Goodwin, Joe Lovano, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, Eric Marienthal, Dave Weckl, Bob Mintzer, Ernie Watts, Peter Erskine, and Dave Samuels. Other notable guest artists have included Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), Chester Thompson (Genesis), Steve Smith (Journey), Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Starr & his All Starr Band) and jazz icon, Toshiko Akiyoshi.