The 11th Annual Sam Pitcher Memorial Scholarship Concert: An Evening of Jazz, Rock & Blues
December 09, 2013
This scholarship was established to honor the memory of Seming “Sam” Pitcher, a gifted young man who was active in the various music programs available in Ketchikan. Sam, a Ketchikan High School student, died from an inflammation of his heart in April 2003. He loved all types of music, and especially enjoyed playing and listening to music with his friends. Sam played the trumpet, fluglehorn and electric guitar with the McPherson Jazz Bands, the rock group “The Rubber Band,” and the KHS Wind Ensemble and Jazz Bands. He had the opportunity to attend both the Sitka Fine Arts Camp and Interlochen Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. The experiences gained while participating in these camps were very significant for Sam. The goal of the Sam Pitcher Music Scholarship is to help give other young musicians the opportunity to expand their music horizons by attending similar summer music programs. The Soundwaves Jazz Ensemble will open the December 17th concert with "Blues Walk" and "Crystal Cove". Lead trombonist and bassist for the group, Amber Junker will be featured on the beautiful ballad "The Way We Were", which won "Best Original Song" in the 1973 film starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford."The Flik Machine" from the 1998 computer-animated comedy adventure film "A Bug's Life", is composed by Randy Newman. Written in the fall of 1953, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" is considered Tony Bennett's signature song. This arrangement is penned by the famous composer/arranger Quincy Jones. Wrapping up the Soundwaves portion of the concert is the Steely Dan favorite, "Black Cow" from the "Aja" album. Windjammers will open their set with "Three Thoughts" composed by Dee Barton, an American jazz trombonist and drummer. He was a member of the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band, and went on to write and play in the Stan Kenton Band. Composed by jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, "Back In Time", features local music instructor, Katie Gaggini on flugelhorn. Always eager to perform blues tunes, the Windjammers will feature local physician/guitarist Karl Richey on "Hey Momma Blues". The Lennon/McCartney favorite, "Eleanor Rigby" is arranged here by Eric Richards and features local mayor, David Kiffer on tenor saxophone. "Makin' Whoopee", featuring local bass trombonist Stan Aegerter, has also been performed by Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington and Ella Fitzgerald. "Tales of Rhoda Rat" by jazz saxophonist composer/arranger Bob Mintzer was recorded by the Buddy Rich Band. Bob Mintzer has performed with Buddy Rich, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, the New York Philharmonic, Art Blakey, and Randy Brecker. Hank Levy's "Pegasus" was performed by the Stan Kenton Band. Levy is a prolific composer and is known for his odd time signature compositions. He arranged for Stan Kenton and the Don Ellis Orchestra, and founded and directed the Towson University Jazz Program. Sam Pitcher was a featured Windjammers trumpet soloist on this piece the last time it was performed here, and he also played trumpet and guitar in the Soundwaves and Discovery jazz ensembles.Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin composed "My Ship", which will feature both the Soundwaves and Windjammers as a combined band. Next is the up-tempo "Tiger of San Pedro", title song on the grammy- nominated album "Manhattan Wildlife Refuge"made famous by trombonist Bill Watrous. As usual, "Blue Flame" will close the concert, as a tribute to the Woody Herman Band. Donations will be accepted at the door to help young musicians to attend music and arts summer camps. The scholarship has been awarded to forty-three recipients, many who have chosen to pursue a professional music performance career and/or music education. The Sam Pitcher Memorial Fund is an Advisory Group of the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council. Tax deductible contributions can be made to the scholarship fund in care of KAAHC at 330 Main Street; Ketchikan, AK 99901. Appplications for the 2014 Sam Pitcher Music Scholarships are due by January 1, 2014. Applications are available at McPherson's Music, Kayhi, Schoenbar, The Main Street Gallery from the Ketchikan Area Arts & Humanities Council.
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