SHERMAN IRBY
Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Sherman began playing music at the age of 12, almost immediately recognizing that it was his life’s calling. Upon graduating high school – during which he had the opportunity to play and record with Gospel immortal James Cleveland – Sherman attended Clark Atlanta University, graduating with a B.A. in Music Education. He joined Atlanta- based piano legend Johnny O’Neal’s quintet in 1991.
After moving to New York in 1994, Sherman quickly connected with the fertile and vital scene at Smalls, where he was a regular until 1997. Here Sherman caught the attention of Blue Note Records, for which he recorded his first two albums, Full Circle and Big Mama’s Biscuits, released in 1996 and 1998 respectively. During the Smalls period, Sherman also toured the U.S. and the Caribbean with the Boys Choir of Harlem in 1995; was a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra from 1995 to 1997; recorded and toured with Marcus Roberts and participated in the incomparable Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead Program during those same years; and began his four year stint with Roy Hargrove in 1997.
After departing Roy Hargrove’s ensemble, Sherman shifted his primary focus to his own group. Although this was his primary commitment, Irby took the opportunity to join the final ensemble of the peerless Elvin Jones in 2004, and after Elvin’s passing, joined Papo Va’zquez’s Pirates Troubadours.
From 2003-2011, Sherman was the regional director for JazzMasters Workshop, a mentoring program for young children. He has served as Artist-in-Residence for Jazz Camp West, and an instructor for the Monterey Jazz Festival Band Camp. He is also a former board member for CubaNOLA Collective.
Recognizing the shift in economics of the record industry, Sherman left Blue Note to form Black Warrior Records, releasing Black Warrior, Faith, Organ Starter, Live at The Otto Club, Cerulean Canvas and Andy Farber’s, This Could Be the Start of Something Big.
Presently, Sherman has rejoined the newly renamed Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Sherman, along with most members of the orchestra, has arranged much of the vast library of music that they have performed over the past 16 years. He has also been commissioned to compose new works, including Twilight Sounds, his Dante-inspired ballet, Inferno, and his 2022 premier of Musings of Cosmic Stuff. Even with the orchestra’s busy schedule, Sherman was a regular member of the McCoy Tyner Quartet, and continues to perform with his own group, Momentum.
BRADLEY DAVIS
Bradley Davis is currently in his 15th year of teaching at Esperanza High School, in Anaheim. Beginning as an Assistant Director at EHS, Brad currently oversees the Esperanza Entertainment Unit as Director to its 100+ students who are actively involved in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz I, Jazz II, Jazz III, and Colorguard.
Born and raised in Kokomo, IN, Bradley finished his secondary education as a graduateof Kokomo High School. From Kokomo, Brad went on to receive his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Emporia State University in Emporia, KS and his Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from California State University, Long Beach. Before accepting his position at Esperanza, Brad held several music coaching positions teaching a variety of skills and styles including: jazz and brass master classes, in addition to teaching Music Appreciation at CSULB and being the Director of Bands at El Rancho High School for the 2006-2007 school year. Also, Brad was a guest Jazz Education presenter at the 2018 SCSBOA Conference and served as SCSBOA Honor Jazz Ensemble Conductor at the 2020 SCSBOA Conference.
As a player, Bradley has had the opportunity to work with several leading groups and performers. Some of Brad’s favorite performances have come from working with artists such as Frank Mantooth, Andy Martin, Wayne Bergeron, Jeff Clayton, the Toledo Symphony, and the California Symphony Orchestra with the CSULB Brass Ensemble. Brad continues to enjoy a career playing semi-professionally, and remains active as a performer and studio teacher. As a teacher his favorite performances have come from having ensembles grace the stages of such venues as the 2014 Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, a command encore at the Reno Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival, winning the Charles Mingus Jazz Festival in 2016, and Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center for the 2012 Essentially Ellington Festival.
Brad would like to thank: the administration at EHS for always recognizing the importance of a well-rounded education in the lives of our students; the EEU Boosters for their continuous support of the students; the Fine Arts faculty of Esperanza High School and the other band directors of the PYLUSD for being consistently creative and tireless in their pursuit of excellence; and my beautiful wife, Kelly, and son, Parker, for their love and support.
JOCELYN CRECIA
Jocelyn Crecia is the Instrumental Music Director at Bernardo Yorba Middle School, teaching band, orchestra, and jazz band. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, as well as a Minor in Business Administration at California State University, Fullerton.
Jocelyn completed her teaching credential at CSUF where she taught in PYLUSD at Valencia High School and Kraemer Middle School. In addition to performing and teaching, she is deeply involved with many music education advocacy organizations. She is an active member of NAfME, CMEA, and SCSBOA. She is the Vice President of the professional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon’s Fullerton Alumni chapter. When she is off the podium, she spends her time with her family and loving spouse.
Big Band Blowout is the collaborative concert featuring Esperanza High School and Bernardo Yorba Middle School Jazz Bands playing alongside a professional musician as guest artist. The concert supports EEU’s education focus on the benefit of performance opportunities. The professional artist mentor provides master class preparation with the students in advance of the concert with enriching improvisation and big band music techniques. The majority of the tunes at tonight's concert were arranged by Irby himself and lend to the professionalism expected of the accompanying young musicians.
2023 ROADTRIPS
Congratulations to Jazz I, Finalist ranked Second at the Jazz Championships in Folsom, California.
Special Thank You to the PYLUSD Administration
Jeff Giles, EHS Principal
Beth Fisher, BYMS Principal
Jose Miranda, EHS Assistant Principal
Rachel Collins, BYMS Assistant Principal
Leigh Ann Swarm, EHS Assistant Principal
Meghann Lukach, EHS Activities Director
Dr. Alex Cherniss, Superintendent
PYLUSD Facilities & Performing Arts Center
EHS Custodial Crew
PYLUSD Print Shop
Look for this Concert Program at the Esperanza Entertainment Unit website. Event Sponsors interested in appearing in next year’s Big Band Blowout program should contact EEU Boosters or Mr. Brad Davis, Music Director. Thank you for your interest. https://ehseu.org/sponsoreeu/bigbandblowout/
Credits:
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