Jazz band prepares for concert
It was postponed a week due to rainy weather, but on Friday night at the House of Culture the jazz band XL will once again bring its special sound to Belizean ears. News 5’s Jose Sanchez walked up the street for a preview of what to expect.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
The musical ensemble XL is barely a year old. The five musicians put on a successful concert earlier this year and for Christmas they plan to do the same. Perhaps you’ve heard of a reggae Christmas, but have you heard of a jazzy Christmas? Well, XL is planning to take the next step in music by adding spicy interpretations to tunes such as We Three Kings, A Christmas Song, and My Favorite Things.
Jason Guerrero, Member, XL Jazz Band
“Our intent was to have a predominantly Christmas program. It hasn’t turned out that way. We will be having a lot of Christmas music, but the programme is dominated by other jazz standards and some new pieces that we want to introduce to the Belize public along the lines of jazz. But yes, Christmas in Jazz is what the concert is being billed as, we’ll have sufficient Christmas music, jazz interpretations of Christmas music.”
“We are not a group that tries to copy anyone. We have written music and we interpret it as we see fit. We all have the experience in jazz music based on that experience, we’re able to articulate the music with a jazz touch.”
“We just want to assure people that if they come, they will be guaranteed a good time. I don’t think anyone will go away dissatisfied, whether or not you’re here for the Jazz music itself or not I think you’ll really appreciate what we have to offer.”
XL is ready for the public and if you would like to share this musical experience with them, then meet them at the House of Culture this Friday night at seven-thirty. Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez.
The band is comprised of Jason Guerrero on bass, Christopher Bradshaw on sax, Carlos Perrote on drums, Mark Usher on steel pan, Frank Rhys on keyboard, Mark Phillips on guitar, and Chris Egle on trombone. Tickets for the concert are available at the House of Culture and C.Y.’s Music Store. In case of rain the venue will be changed to the Bliss Institute. Admission is twenty-five dollars, but students with ID enter for ten.
