XAZZ

Adam Adelstein - Keys Michael Brook - Tenor Sax Daniel Jonak - Guitar Dylan Kahn - Vocals Sean Knapp - Bass Sam Subar - Drums Daniel Jonak, Guitar Junior, Highland Park At age 10, Daniel asked his parents for a guitar and since then he has not let it out of his hands. Music is an essential part of his life. Daniel plays guitar and piano, studies saxophone and trombone, composes music, and writes lyrics. During a summer orchester camp in Austria, Daniel was selected to perform life with outstanding european jazz musicians. Currently, he participates in Highland Park Honors Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Honors Jazz Ensemble. In 2013, Daniel joined the Jazz Ambassadors Band at the Music Institute of Chicago and performed at their annual gala. Dr. Schoonover Award for Outstanding Band Musicianship - Elm Place Middle School. 11th Annual Talent Award - Council of Educators in Polonia Jazz Award and Scholarship for Performance and Leadership - University of Illinois ISYM Summer Program Scholarship - Berklee College of Music Sam Subar, Drums Senior, Highland Park Picking up the instrument by ear at age 11, Sam Subar began to learn how to play drums by listening to the rhythms of his favorite rock drummers. Through doing so, he gained a passion for percussion and was eager to expand his musical knowledge and rhythmic technique. Shortly after, Sam began to take drum lessons at The North Shore Music Institute. He did so under the instruction of Jim Hines, a freelance Grammy Award winning drummer, percussionist, vocalist, and voice over artist largely recognized for his work with the infamous Brian Wilson. Through weekly lessons with Jim, Sam began to learn funk, jazz, and world drumming. Currently, Sam attends Highland Park High School. He is part of the Marching Giant’s drumline and a percussionist in Highland Park High School’s Wind Ensemble. In school, he takes percussion lessons under the instruction of Michael Riendeau. Outside of school, Sam also takes lessons with Noah Plotkin, a Berklee College of Music Graduate, with years of collaboration via drum set/percussion. Last summer, Sam attended a percussion intensive program at Indiana University’s Jacobs School Of Music. Most Improved Award - HPHS Wind Ensemble 2013 Michael Brook, Sax Junior, Highland Park Michael began his musical career at the age of 8 years on the cello. It wasn't until the 7th grade that he decided that he wanted to follow in his grandfather's footsteps by taking up the saxophone. Going into his freshman year, he decided to drop cello and focus his musical abilities solely on the saxophone. Michael is currently enrolled in Jazz Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and the HPHS Jazz Combo, and takes part in the Highland Park Marching Giants, Pep Band, Musical Pit, and Honor Band. He was selected to sit third chair in the IMEA District 7 band, and first chair in the North Shore Honor Band. Outstanding Freshman Award - Highland Park High School Outstanding Sophomore Award - Highland Park Marching Giants Outstanding Sophomore Award - Highland Park High School Musicianship Award - Highland Park High School Outstanding Soloist Award - Evanston Township Jazz Festival Outstanding Junior Award - Highland Park High School Musicianship Award - Highland Park High School Adam Adelstein, Keys Senior, Highland Park Adam has been playing the piano since the age of 9. Influenced by the music of Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, Adam sought to improve his jazz performance skills. To learn how to emulate the style of these pianists, Adam studied under Kevin Kozol, a piano professor at Harold Washington College. He is very passionate about music and actively participates in Highland Park High School's Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Jim Hile. He has performed with musicians such as Fernando Jones. Adam also spends time volunteering to play piano at local nursing homes and charity events. Adam is a part of Highland Park High School's Jazz Ensemble and is also on the school's football and baseball teams. Adam will be attending Indiana University. Outstanding Soloist - Evanston Township High School Jazz Festival Sean Knapp, Bass Sean Knapp, Highland Park Beginning on piano at the age of five and eventually moving onto bass at the age of 9, Sean Knapp has had a life long affair with music. At the age of 13 he began his professional music career, performing in the pit of Provision Theater’s Godspell. From there, he has studied under Steve Tschaikowsky and Trevor Jones, improving his skills at every genre, from classical to funk, and becoming equally adept at upright and electric bass. Sean is a commited member of the HPHS Jazz Ensemble, Chamber and Symphony Orchestras, as well as a percussionist in the Wind Symphony. He also participates in MYA Symphony Orchestra, and has auditioned into spots in the ILMEA All State Honors Orchestra as well as the ILMEA District 7 Honors Jazz Combo. This year he also received the first ever Ramsey Lewis Scholarship for Musical Excellence due to his participation in, and study of, jazz. After his senior year in high school, Sean will be attending the Eastman School of Music. Dylan Kahn, Vocals Senior, Highland Park Ever since Dylan was able to speak a word, he was singing. All through his early childhood, Dylan would spend hours humming, singing, or whistling tunes. Dylan truly began to adopt music as a lifestyle when he joined the Paul Green School of Rock Music in late elementary school. Dylan was very successful with the school and was selected at the age of 12 to sing with the Paul Green School of Rock All-Star band at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Today, Dylan continues to pursue music as a Senior at Highland Park High School. He is very involved in the choral program at HPHS and is also a member of the Varsity Cross Country and Track & Field Teams. Dylan will continue his education at the University of Wisconsin. We are a funk rock/soul group from the Chicago suburbs. Check us out! --> https://soundcloud.com/xazzband