“Jazz Club is great—It gives you confidence, family, creativity and FUUUUUUUUUUN!” -Club President Charline Pelloux-Gervais
Meeting twice a week, the Westmont Jazz Club “Swings through, one piece at a time” (Christiana Mandler), rehearsing iconic jazz medleys in preparation for campus and community performances. Under the direction of Charline “LePoux” Pelloux-Gervais, president of Jazz Club, and the supervision of Music Department Director, Ms. Mandler, Jazz Club has remained a staple of the Westmont Music Department for the past three years. Since its inception, Jazz Club has abided by its mission statement: “To teach people about Jazz theory and performance while encouraging members to be better performers by trusting themselves and their abilities.” Currently, the Jazz Club is preparing for the Westmont Winter Concert, where they will perform “Sir Duke” by Duke Ellington, arranged by Michael Phillip Mossman.
Last year, Jazz Club took the stage at the District Music Festival, performing arrangements of Aladdin’s “ A Friend Like Me”, Louis Prima’s “Sing, Sing, Sing”, and Bud Powell’s “B Flat Blues”. Additionally, the Jazz Club appeared at a senior citizen charity event at the Campbell Community Center, playing Jazz’d up Christmas Carols.
As a member of Jazz Club, I can personally attest to the quality of both the music and the members. The Westmont Jazz Club boasts a roster of some of the highest caliber musicians I’ve ever encountered, with music positing the difficulty and excitement guaranteed to wow audiences and inspire fellow musicians. But don’t listen to me, take it from fellow Jazz Club members:
*Few were harmed in the conducting of these interviews*
President Charline
When did you join?
I joined Sophomore year, like two and a half [years] if we’re really counting, but I did jazz band at my middle school before that.
Why did you join?
Jazz just really makes me happy and it has a certain creativity to it that written music doesn’t have.
What’s your favorite part of Jazz Club?
Not the people. Just kidding. I do enjoy the people. I enjoy getting to see jazz from a different perspective since I get to actually teach and see how different people’s interpretations and ideas come together.
As president, what’s one change you’d like to see?
More commitment. The commitment to the club is basically a commitment to yourself, and the more effort you put into the band the better you and the band will be.
Favorite member?
Myself.
Favorite piece?
“Sing Sing Sing”
Bianca Schultz
When did you join?
I joined last year, my junior year, so this is my second year apart of the club.
Why did you join?
The spring concert, I heard the spring concert my sophomore year and the Jazz club sounded so good and it looked really fun.
What’s your favorite part of Jazz Club?
I love the songs that we play, and the people, and the presidents asking me to say the president. The club secretary is pretty cool
Favorite member?
Myself. Hehe, no, I love everybody.
Favorite Piece?
“Friend Like Me”
Eisen Small
When did you join?
I’ve been here a year and a half
Why did you join?
My trombone tutor likes performing jazz, and he inspired me to take a jazz camp over the summer and I really enjoyed it. So when I heard about a Jazz Club at Westmont, I felt excited and wanted to join. Until Charline showed up.
What’s your favorite part of Jazz Club?
I like the performances and learning new pieces.
Favorite member?
Myself.
Favorite Piece?
“Sing, Sing, Sing”
Bryson Moffit
When did you join?
I joined my freshman year. I’ve been a member for two and a half years now.
Why did you join?
I joined because I originally didn’t have time to take a band class, but I still wanted to participate and Jazz seemed like a good option for that. I also like jazz.
What’s your favorite part of Jazz Club?
*shakes head* The bell.
Favorite Member?
Will (Trumpet Alumni).
Favorite Piece?
“ Sing Sing Sing”
Samantha Carlson
When did you join?
I joined this year.
Why did you join?
I joined because I want to get better at playing the saxophone and sight reading, and yeah.
What’s your favorite part of Jazz Club?
I just like the dynamic of the group. I really like being able to practice jazz, and the songs we’ve chosen are more up beat and that’s kinda my jam.
Favorite member?
Charline.
Favorite piece?
“Sir Duke”
Aiden Tran
When did you join?
I’ve been a member since last year, like the beginning of my Freshman year.
Why did you join?
I like jazz.
What’s your favorite part of Jazz Club?
It’s easy to bully Charline.
Favorite member?
Bryson
Favorite piece?
“Sing Sing Sing”
Ms. Mandler
What’s it like overseeing the club?
I’d much prefer it if it was a class, like it used to be. The students are just Band Kids, well Jazz kids.
What’s one change you’d like to see?
I would like to see it become a class, so that we could do more full community events (like Octoberfest).
You can help make Mandler’s dream come true by joining Jazz Club and signing up for next year’s Jazz Ensemble!