Jazz Ensemble

True Musicianship

Kids playing jazz music

The music department at NDP is jamming! Students are taught true musicianship in our extremely popular Jazz Ensemble. Participants learn quickly and all instrumentalists perform in our fall and spring Fine Art Festivals, competitions and special community and Diocesan events.

Jazz Ensemble director Mr. Powers challenges students to expand the boundaries of the music they think is possible and guides them to accomplish and master difficult, but fun pieces to perform. They mix the sound of rock, jazz and big band genres, and they often couple the music with cool, jazzy vocals. 

The saxophone section

 

Happy girl singing

MEET MR. POWERS

Jazz Ensemble director Bob Powers smiling

Originally from Catskill, NY, Robert Powers (guitarist/trumpeter) is the Fine Arts Department Chair at Notre Dame Prep. He teaches, guitar, jazz ensemble and brass ensemble.

He has worked extensively in the rock, funk and jazz idioms. He holds a Jazz Performance Degree from Arizona State University (Magna Cum Laude). In college he studied Jazz Trumpet and Jazz Guitar Performance, as well as receiving the Bob Ravenscroft Jazz Bird Scholarship. 

Over the years Mr. Powers has performed with many great artists such as Chris Vadala, Mike Kocour, Mike Vax, John Lewis, Chris Champion, Mike Crotty, Tom Miles, Fred and Ike Sturm. He has also worked on projects such as The Show Chicago, DreamWorks Animation, Desert House Productions, Proper Villain Entertainment,  Glendale Jazz Festival, Chandler Jazz Festival, Lake George Jazz Festival,Prescott Jazz Festival, Tempe Festival for the Arts, Superstition Jazz Orchestra.

When he is not teaching Mr. Powers works as a freelance trumpeter, guitarist, bandleader and composer. He served as music faculty for the Metropolitan Arts Institute, The New School for the Arts, jazz faculty for Phoenix College and the Desert Ridge Music Academy in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a sponsored performing artist for Malin Amplification.  

Mr. Powers is also the moderator for Adventure Club (hiking and camping). 

Kids camping