Under the direction of Mark Kelly, The Jazz Project’s Bellingham Youth Jazz Band begins its thirteenth year as a Jazz Project program. The BYJB provides middle school and high school students the opportunity to learn America’s original art form from the masters. With your support, this program will enhance opportunities for young jazzers and help families foster an awareness and appreciation for jazz. The BYJB performs concerts throughout Whatcom County each year. Donations may be made directly to this band on this website.
The Jazz Project's "Bellingham Youth Jazz Band" was created in 1997 by musician and educator, Mark Kelly, as a feeder program for the local high school jazz bands. The group is currently made up of twenty nine 6th - 9th grade students from ten Whatcom County schools. The BYJB meets Wednesday nights at the Bellingham Senior Activities Center, where rehearsal space for the group is donated by Whatcom County Parks.
The BYJB performs about 40 free community concerts throughout Whatcom County in local parks, theaters, schools, nursing homes, fairs, dances, and jazz festivals.
The BYJB learns and recreates the classic American Jazz standards of the 1920's - 1970's using a standard 18 piece big band format. In addition, selected students make up several smaller combos to perform at concerts, and individuals are featured on solos and vocal arrangements.
The Jazz Project charges tuition (currently $135 per trimester) and seeks private and public grants and donations from the community. Fund raising activities by parents and students supplement the annual budget. The Jazz Project (a 501(c)3 non-profit), pays for music, equipment, director salary, scholarships, lessons, clinicians, and all other expenses. All contributions to The Jazz Project are tax-deductible. Contact Jud Sherwood for more information on how you can support the BYJB.
The BYJB plays regularly around Bellingham to a wide range of audiences. Mark Kelly was awarded the Mayor's Arts Award in 2000 and the San Juan Music Educator's 'Friend of Music' award in 2008 for his work with these young musicians, and his band continues to create community connections across several generations with their concerts and swing dances. If you would like the BYJB to play for your event, or know someone who would like to audition for the band, please contact Mark Kelly at 360.676.5750. Contact the Jazz Project for scholarship information and applications.
BYJB Summer 2013 band will begin rehearsals Wednesday, June 19 at 6PM @ Bellingham Senior Center, but preregistration is required by Friday, June 14. Tuition is $135 for the summer session, which runs through Wednesday, August 7. Contact Mark Kelly at 360.676.5750 for pre-registraion or Jud Sherwood at 360.650.1066 for more information about the Jazz Project. Informational fliers are in music stores and band/orchestra rooms throughout Whatcom County in early September for school-year band, and in mid-May for the summer band.
CURRENT BYJB 2013 REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
SAT., MAY 11, RECORDING SESSION @ Binary Studio, 9am
SAT., MAY 25. BYJB Combos appear during 4-6pm Kid'Sax Ensemble concert @ Fountain Bistro (outdoors, if warm) Girard & Broadway
THURS., MAY 30, BYJB Combos appear during 8-11pm Kid'Sax Ensemble concert @ Skylark's Hidden Cafe, Fairhaven
SAT., JUNE 1, CONCERT 9am-noon @ Zuanich Park, public fundraiser for The Human Race, Whatcom Volunteer Center
WED., JUNE 5, 7-9pm Public Concert at Blue Horse Gallery: CD release party, All Ages, donations at door, new CDs for sale
THURS., JUNE 6, CONCERT 7pm @ Whatcom Hills Waldorf School
FRI., JUNE 7, CONCERT 7pm @ Birch Bay State Park, enter upper level via Helwig Rd.
WED., JUNE 12, CONCERT 7pm @ Fairhaven Middle School, open to the public
SUN., JUNE 16, CONCERT 10:30am @ Wilson Motors, 1100 Iowa St., Hospice Fundraiser
WED., JUNE 19 first REHEARSAL 6-8:30pm for SUMMER 2013 BYJB, look for informational fliers in mid-May @ music stores, school music rooms. PRE-REGISTRATION is due (via phone, 676-5750) by Friday, June 14. $135 tuition for the Summer, Final event is Wednesday, August 7, 2013.
THURS., JULY 4, CONCERT 2:15-3pm @ Zuanich Boathouse Stage, open to the public
SAT., JULY 7, CONCERT & Summer Band Photo Shoot 10:30 am @ Leopold, private concert for residents & parents
SAT., JULY 13, CONCERT 10:30 @ St. Francis Healthcare, private concert for residents and parents
SUN., JULY 14 CONCERT 2-3pm @ Louisa House, Ferndale, private concert
THURS., JULY 18, CONCERT 7pm @ Spring Creek, private concert
FRI., JULY 19, CONCERT 7pm Swing Dance @ Bellingham Senior Activities Center, open to public
SAT., JULY 20, CONCERT 11am @ Lynden Raspberry Festival, open to the public
FRI., JULY 26, CONCERT 5:30pm @ Boundary Bay Garden, open to the public, all ages
SAT., JULY 22, CONCERT 10:30 am @ Barkley Village Gazebo, open to the public
SUN., JULY 28, CONCERT 2pm @ Lake Whatcom Center, private concert
FRI., AUG. 2, CONCERT 6pm @ Lightcatcher Museum (ArtWalk)
SUN., AUG. 4, TWO CONCERTS: 10:30 am near Bellwether Hotel & 2-4pm Fairhaven Village Green
WED., AUG. 7. FINAL CONCERT noon-1:40pm @ Hovander Homestead Park, Ferndale. Senior Day In The Park
WED., SEPT. 11 First rehearsal of 2013-14 BYJB begins, 7pm @ Bellingham Senior Activities Center
WED., OCT 9, 7pm CONCERT @ Lynden Music Festival
FRI., NOV. 8, CONCERT 7pm @ Blaine Senior Center, open to the public (spaghetti/salad dinner 5:30 on) call 332-8040 for tickets, info.
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Event & Concerts 
