Shao, Stevens to Play with the Jazz All-State Band

Lower Justin Shao and upper Lucas Stevens have qualified for the New Hampshire Jazz All-State band. On Saturday, Oct. 22, Shao, a tenor saxophonist, and Stevens, a bass player, entered into rigorous auditions in Amherst, NH that required them to play complex jazz melodies and sight read jazz music, and both distinguished themselves enough to be placed in the Jazz All-State band, with Stevens making the cut for the top group of all, the honors band.

The entire band will perform at the New Hampshire Jazz All-State Festival in Feb., which consists of the very best high school student jazz musicians in the state. The festival is organized annually by the New Hampshire Music Educators Association (NHMEA), and it was created in order to bring together students from different schools to bond over their love of jazz music.

Stevens learned about the program through the director of Exeter’s Jazz Ensemble Carl Benevides, who encouraged him to try out for the band. Although Stevens has played the bass for only two years, Benevides saw his innate talent through performances with the Orchestra, the Jazz Ensemble and the Big Red Blues. To prepare, Stevens extensively practiced improvising and playing the melody to the jazz ballad and a solo over B flat “blues” key.

Shao had qualified for the New Jersey All-State Jazz Band back in his hometown of Basking Ridge, N.J., but could not participate due to his move to Exeter. Shao later did some online research and discovered the New Hampshire All-State Jazz auditions. A panel of music instructors selected Shao as the first chair tenor saxophonist in the second band.

“The best part about being a jazz musician is being able to express yourself freely and not having to stick to written music.”

Shao attributed some of his success to his jazz instructor at Exeter, Charles Jennison. “Mr. Jennison has been especially supportive, and even though I have only studied with him for a short time so far, I am already learning a lot,” said Shao. Jennison, an accomplished jazz musician, has played jazz since high school and has studied from such jazz masters as Jerry Bergonzi and Charlie Mariano. Jennison is a wealth of knowledge for students interested in jazz.

Both Shao and Stevens have enjoyed playing jazz in the past. Stevens said that he loves the freedom that the genre allows. “I like jazz because it’s all about improvisation,” Stevens said.  “Being able to make something up on the spot is very enticing.”

Stevens’ friends have long witnessed his enthusiasm about jazz.  Lower Dylan Yin, a saxophonist who plays with Stevens in the jazz ensemble and the EAR Band “The Stepping Stones,” said that Stevens is a “leader” who is “always making good suggestions.” “He is really kind and likes to have fun with us whenever possible,” Yin said. “I love exchanging funny looks with him during rehearsal and jamming out afterward.” Friends know Stevens as a musician who always gives his full effort every practice. 

Shao said that his interest in jazz first arose when he began playing the saxophone about four years ago. He first started listening to famous jazz musicians. “There are a lot of jazz programs and players near Newark and New York City, and after learning and listening from them, I really started to love jazz,” Shao said. His favorite jazz saxophonists are Joe Henderson and Sonny Rollins. 

Like Stevens, Shao’s favorite part of jazz music is the improvisation. “The best part about being a jazz musician is being able to express yourself freely and not having to stick to written music,” he said, noting that jazz musicians still have to follow rules with their improvisation, such as adjusting to “certain chord changes” in the piece.

Shao tries to practice his tenor saxophone as often as possible. He usually tries to fit in 45 minutes on weekdays and two hours on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to individual practice, Shao participates in Exeter’s Jazz Ensemble. Still, he feels like homework gets in the way of his practicing. “I don’t really have a routine, as some days are more busy than others,” Shao said. “I wish I had more time to practice.”

After learning that they made it into the band, Shao and Stevens received the sheet music for the festival. Now, it is up to them to practice for the big day. Jennison knows about the process, since other Exonians have played in the festival in past years. “Students prepare the music independently and with their teachers until they attend the festival,” he said. “There, they work with distinguished ‘guest conductors’ and present a concert.” 

Shao and Stevens are set to perform on Feb. 4 at Pinkerton Academy. Both are clearly looking forward to the event. “It’ll be fun to play jazz with a bunch of other really committed jazz musicians, in a big band setting,” Stevens said. Shao agreed, including that he has hopes to “improvise and solo” at the Festival.