Bands jazz up Sisters schools

Gator Beat included students in their Sisters Elementary School show. photo by Jim Cornelius Two of the Sisters Jazz Festival's (SJF) high-energy, good-time bands took the stage at Sisters schools last week, bringing zydeco, swing and jump blues to Sisters youth.

Gator Beat got the Sisters Elementary School crowd involved in the performance, teaching them some swamp rhythms and call-and-response parts for their lively songs.

The commons area resounded with cries of "Oooo-la-la, Hey, Hey!" and the classic Cajun "Aaaaiiieee!" as the students from kindergarten through first grade got into the spirit of the music.

Several students were invited up to play the washboard.

High Street brought their colorful zoot suits and hot swing music to students at Sisters Middle School later on that Friday afternoon, September 17.

"The kids loved it," said jazz festival board chair Tom Worcester.

Sisters schools music director, Jody Henderson, dressed in a zoot suit to take the stage with the band.