Sisters musicians head for Reno

A jazz ensemble will represent Sisters Middle School for the first time at the prestigious Reno Jazz Festival this weekend, where the students will join top groups from 320 colleges, high schools and middle schools across the country.

The Sisters High School Jazz Band, a regular entrant at the Reno festival, will compete there this year as well. Band Director Jody Henderson directs both groups. The festival is sponsored by the University of Nevada.

The enthusiasm of the middle school jazz quintet was matched by a packed Depot Deli audience at the group's debut performance last Friday, in preparation for Reno. Friday's program was the first of a monthly Cafe Jazz Series being presented by Depot Deli and Henderson, with support from the Sisters Jazz Festival.

In Reno, the Sisters High School jazz band will compete against 15 other high school "big bands." The middle school quintet will be one of seven ensembles representing their age group.

Henderson clearly was impressed with the performance of the younger group Friday, as well as the participation of senior high students who came in for the program.

"I was not surprised, but was very pleased how the high school students showed up and how well they played together," he said.

Jazz Guitarist Rich Hurdle added professional seasoning to the Cafe Jazz Series, as did Henderson himself who joined in on some numbers with a mellow muted trumpet.