June 4, 2008 > Youth Jazz festival Youth Jazz festival By Anuja Seith Many young musicians will bring the magic of jazz to Fremont, a melodious combination of African and Western music traditions at the East Bay Traditional Jazz Society's (EBTJS) Eighth Annual Youth Jazz Festival. Spiritual, blues and ragtime music is rooted in melodies from West Africa that fused with those of new European immigrants who came to settle in New Orleans in 1800s; soon Jazz melodies filled the air. Today students from high school groups and the EBTJS youth band, Jazzinators, will generate the magnetic appeal of this art. "The purpose is to expose the youngsters to this kind of music, otherwise we will lose it," said John Soulis, co-president of the society. Each of the high school bands will play a different form of Jazz music; the Jazzinators who mostly play Dixieland music, will perform during each intermission. The event provides performance opportunities for youth bands and allows them to interact with each other. Soulis who teaches the Jazzinators said that this is the chance for these young musicians to showcase their talent. During class, Soulis plays audio tapes of other bands or replays recorded tapes of the Jazzinators to allow these young musicians to hear themselves. "We don't want to set parameters, but just want kids to come and enjoy this happy music while making friends," said Soulis. If you are a jazz lover or simply enjoy good music, this concert offers a pleasant afternoon of entertainment. The proposed schedule is as follows: 11 a.m. - American High School 11:55 a.m. - Fremont Christian High School 12:50 p.m. - Thornton Jr. High School 1:45 p.m. - Hopkins Jr. High School 2:45 p.m. - John F. Kennedy High School 3:35 p.m. - Irvington High School 4:30 p.m. - Horner Jr. High School Youth Jazz Festival Saturday, June 7 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Pacific Commons, Fremont (I-880 to Auto Mall Exit West) www.eastbaytradjazz.org