| A Real Community Jazz Orchestra
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This is a real community jazz orchestra," says Wirtel. "We're made up of teachers, students, computer technicians, but we all love music. We really get into it." |
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Brian Choban of Normal, Illinois has played the trumpet with the group since its beginning. A trumpet player since the fourth grade, Brian joined because he could continue to play an
instrument he loves without having to go on the road with a traveling band. "It's a good way to keep playing and still be at home with my family", he says "Plus, this is a community group and I like that idea. I get to play in my town, for people I know. I'm not playing for strangers, but my own community." |
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Heartland Jazz Orchestra takes its role as a community organization seriously.
The group sponsors an outreach program by paying for a guest artist to join
them at their Coffeehouse concerts and other venus and the band hosts free clinics for students
learning to play jazz. |
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Tim Byrne of Bloomington has been a trombone player with the band, also since
the group's first performance. "I played in school, and this orchestra gives me the chance to continue playing." he says."
This truly is the 'heart-land' orchestra," says Shabda (Tom Wirtel). "They're playing from the heart. This band is not like other bands . There are no false masks or big egos here. It's just real honest, juicy music." |
The band performs at weddings, dances, festivals, fund-rasisers, New Year's Eve Parties, anywhere there's a crowd pining for jazz music,
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