BOUNTIFUL—Come enjoy a toe tapping good time as the Bountiful High gym is transformed into a 1930s jazz hall for the school’s popular “Fools for Jazz” concert April 21. The annual event has been a tradition for the past 18 years and this concert promises to be just as exciting. Millcreek Junior High is also part of the fun. 

This is Band Director Branson Bell’s first year at Bountiful High but he’s no stranger to Fools for Jazz. 

“I went to school here and played with Danny Turnblom,” said Bell, who took Turnblom’s place when he retired last year. “I played in Fools for Jazz and now I’m returning to it.”

What makes the job so awesome are kids who are dedicated to music, he said. “They’re learning one of America’s own art forms. Fools for Jazz is important to the community to come out and celebrate. It’s something they can dance to, listen to and be part of.” 

Isaac Rodabough and his twin brother Ethan are juniors at Bountiful High and played in Fools for Jazz last year. “You have to audition to get into jazz band,” said Isaac. “People are more dedicated and want to play. It’s a good group. I like that.”

Isaac plays the trumpet and he has been playing music since he was 4 years old. “I started with the violin,” he said. “I started playing trumpet in the seventh grade at Millcreek Junior High and now I’m in jazz band at Bountiful High.” 

Fools for Jazz is fun because people can dance, said Isaac. “We get to play live quality music for it. They set up the gym so it looks like a jazz age dance hall.”

Ethan started playing music when he was 4 years old too. He plays the clarinet, saxophone and can pick up other instruments as needed. “My dad played jazz with the Falconaires Air Force jazz band,” he said. “We would listen to his music recordings. He still plays in the 23rd Army band.”

The concert will be different than last year, said Ethan. “Mr. Bell is super energetic. He’ll bring a lot of energy to Fools this year.”

Bell said rehearsals started last summer. “We maintain some of the same music throughout the year so they’re not just learning completely new music. We do music in the summer parades and we pull out some tunes from a set list throughout the year.”

The kids are busy working on music for band festivals at the school level, region and if they qualify at the state level, he said. “It’s tricky working in jazz tunes to play at the event. They sound really good this year so rehearsal isn’t too bad.”

It takes a lot of volunteers to put together the event, said Bell. “I was shocked last year how many community members put together the show. It shows what a community event it really is.”

Live music is important to the community, he said. “It’s the coolest thing to take the little old gym and completely change it to look like an old jazz dance hall from the 30s.”

Before the main event, the jazz band plays in the gym for seniors who come from care centers nearby, said Bell. “I’m so excited to see it in action. These people have insight into that type of music. I’m glad we’re doing that.”

Bell said music is a positive experience for kids. “They can take ownership and gain social skills. It forces students to overcome their fears. Some kids have performance anxiety when they have to stand up and perform before hundreds of people. They can take those skills into a job interview or other life situations.”

Fools for Jazz gives them the opportunity to have a gig, he said. “They get to play two sets and be part of a headline band. It’s just cool to be sitting in the band as people dance.”

The event celebrates something American, said Bell. “Jazz is rooted in history and people can immerse themselves in it. It brings people together.”

Fools for Jazz is April 21 from 6-8 p.m. in the Bountiful High old gym, 695 Orchard Drive. Advanced tickets are  $7, at the door $8. There will be dancing, music and big-band era costume and dance contests. For more information contact the BHS office at 801-402-3900. λ