Invitations to the Monterey Jazz Festival for high school and college youth don’t come easy, but the Columbia Falls High School Columbians Jazz Band has earned just that – an invitation to travel to California for next month’s Next Generation Festival.
That means one thing in today’s economy – fundraising to pay their own way.
Since last summer, they’ve held raffles, sold cookie dough, worked the concession stand at Columbia Falls sports events and fed hungry speech/debate competitors. Now, it’s time for their home stretch effort – the Columbians’ First Annual Jazz Bistro on Sunday March 21, 2010.
To help pay their way to the Monterey California music festival and competition, they’re putting on a four-course fine dining and music event and inviting 60 of the Flathead’s jazz enthusiasts to join and support their efforts.
100% of the proceeds from the Columbians’ Jazz Bistro benefit the Columbians’ year-long effort to raise funds for their travel. The Next Generation Festival is a three-day festival presented by the world-famous Monterey Jazz Festival (now in its 53rd year). The Festival invites the top student musicians from across the United States and around the world to participate, learn, collaborate and compete.
Seatings for the four-course dinner are available at 530pm and 730pm, and are limited to a maximum of 30 patrons for each of two seatings.
Chef Ray Negron of Cimarron Cafe and Catering volunteered to create a special menu for this limited-seating evening of music, fine food and drink. Bistro patrons will have a choice of three main course selections: Slow-roasted Prime Rib of Beef, Grilled Wild Sockeye Salmon or homemade Fettucine Alfredo with Grilled Chicken. Appetizers, salad, dessert and 1 glass of wine or beer are included.
Bistro tickets ($30 per person) are available from any CFHS band member, at Cimarron Cafe in Columbia Falls or by calling 249-0307. Credit card ticket purchases may be made at Cimarron Cafe.
The Columbians celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. The band was started at CFHS by legendary Flathead musician/band leader Don Lawrence in 1959. In the 50 years that followed, the Columbians have been regularly recognized as one of the best high school jazz bands in the state of Montana. Columbians musicians repeatedly win all-state honors both as individual performers, small combos and when performing with the full band.
Today’s Columbians are directed by Karen Ulmer, whose leadership challenges them to not only build upon their strong tradition in jazz and big band, but to pursue jazz of all kinds, including latin and funk influences.