Arts & Entertainment

Local Teens Chosen for Jazz All-Star Band

Jake Brunelle and Jack Riotte, both of Durham, were recently picked to play with the Young Artists Summer Jazz Workshop All-Stars and open for New York Yankees star-turned jazz musician, Bernie Williams.

Jake Brunelle didn't expect his name to be called. But when it was, he was ready.

The Durham teenager was selected last week to the Young Artists Stamford Jazz Workshop All-Stars band which performed as the opening act for Bernie Williams during the kick-off to the Jazz Up July concert series at Columbus Park in Stamford on July 10.

"That was absolutely amazing," said Brunelle, 15. "Being the opening act was an honor for me. I was definitely honored to play for Bernie Williams."

Check out Patch's video of Jake Brunelle performing at Harbor Park in Middletown

The retired New York Yankees outfielder is now an accomplished musician and spent time mentoring students, including Brunelle, who attended the Young Artist Summer Jazz Workshop, a week long master class with studies in music theory and improvisation.

The all-star musicians picked to perform ahead of Williams' band were selected by the workshop's musical directors, John Mastroianni and Joyce DiCamillo.

Brunelle plays the alto saxophone and the soprano saxophone.

"The thing I love about is you never know what you're gonna get out of it," he said. "It can be played with basically any kind of music genre. It's a very diverse instrument."

Brunelle has been playing for six years. The sophomore is a member of Coginchaug High School's Jazz Band, Concert Band and Pep Band.

He's also a member of the Route 17 Stompers, a Dixieland band made up of local musicians, and plans to study music in college.

Jack Riotte, 14, of Durham, who plays tenor saxophone, was also chosen to perform with the Young Artists Summer Jazz Workshop All-Stars and got to meet Williams.

The Jazz Up July concert series at Columbus Park in Stamford is held each Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m., through August 7.

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