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Big Band Blowout Concert

Esperanza Jazz thanks
the community sponsors supporting
Big Band Blowout 2023
Concert Program

featuring
Sherman Irby
Thursday May 18
The District PAC
Placentia, CA


Meet Our Guest Artist

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Sherman began playing music at the age of 12, almost immediately recognizing that it was his life’s calling. Upon graduating high school – during which he had the opportunity to play and record with Gospel immortal James Cleveland – Sherman attended Clark Atlanta University, graduating with a B.A. in Music Education.

He joined Atlanta-based piano legend Johnny O’Neal’s quintet in 1991. After moving to New York in 1994, Sherman quickly connected with the fertile and vital scene at Smalls, where he was a regular until 1997. Here Sherman caught the attention of Blue Note Records.

From 2003-2011, Sherman was the regional director for JazzMasters Workshop, a mentoring program for young children. He has served as Artist-in-Residence for Jazz Camp West, and an instructor for the Monterey Jazz Festival Band Camp.

Presently, Sherman has rejoined the newly renamed Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with
Wynton Marsalis. Sherman, along with most members of the orchestra, has arranged much of the vast library of music that they have performed over the past 16 years. He has also been commissioned to compose new works, including Twilight Sounds, his Dante-inspired ballet, Inferno, and his 2022 premier of Musings of Cosmic Stuff.

Even with the orchestra’s busy schedule, Sherman was a regular member of the McCoy Tyner Quartet, and continues to perform with his own group, Momentum.

Esperanza & Bernardo Yorba Jazz Bands

Esperanza Jazz – Esperanza has three high performing and exciting big bands, with all bands scoring and placing near the top in annual competitions and festivals. With entertaining and powerful performances, Esperanza Jazz I Band has played at such prestigious events as the Essentially Ellington Competition at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, Charles Mingus High School Competition at Manhattan School of Music in New York City, Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, and Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, CA! Sneak Peak “Parallel to Harlem” from Esperanza’s Jazz I 2023 LISTEN HERE

Bernardo Yorba Jazz Band – BYMS hard working jazz students rehearse and audition for a spot in this group and meet during zero period! In addition to our annual Big Band Blowout concert, Bernardo Yorba Jazz Band performs at Jazz Festivals, including the Aztec Jazz Festival this season, as well as, Knott’s Berry Farm & Disneyland.

The District PAC in Placentia

We are proud to invite you to the Performing Arts Center for our concert. A beautiful and professional theater venue seats over 600 and hosts student performance groups, as well as numerous outside production companies. The PAC is located at: 1651 N. Valencia Ave in Placentia.


The Big Band Blowout, EEU Signature Concert experience, features our professional musician mentor in collaboration with the talented students of Esperanza High School and Bernardo Yorba Middle School.


The Concert Program

Business Ads for Program Partners

Each year, local businesses participate in our Esperanza Jazz concert experience by purchasing advertising space in our Big Band Blowout Program. EEU offers a vibrant community of more than 400 members and all EEU members proudly support program partners who support the EEU. Consider that Big Band Blowout Program Ads can fit any marketing budget with high quality ads starting at less than $100. All proceeds from our Program Ads directly support the entire music program at Esperanza High School. For details about advertising in Big Band Blowout 2023 Concert Program, you can download the Business Ad PDF. To learn more about Sponsorship Packages, go to Sponsor EEU HERE. This 20+ year tradition is one of our big fundraisers and its success depends on you.

Personal Messages from Jazz Family & Fans

Personal Ads & Shout-Outs give family and friends a chance to personalize a heartfelt message to your jazz student. Message Ads are personalized by you! Congratulate your senior student and include a Grad photo or Shout Out “Cathy—You’re the best sax player ever! Love, Mom.” We would love for each student to have a personalized message. For more info, here’s the Personal Messages PDF.

Personal Message Ads are available to both Esperanza and Bernardo Yorba Families!


Pay for Program Ads with EEU PayPal Button

There’s an option to use credit or debit card secured via PayPal. Be sure to include Name of Payer on the above form/s.


Big Band Blowout Volunteers

Volunteers for:
Contacting Prior Sponsors
Distributing Concert Posters
PAC Lobby Set Up
Event Day Ticket Sales
Will Call Check-In
Event Day Door Check
Green Room Set Up

If you are interested in volunteering for this year’s Big Band Blowout concert, please consider getting involved with Event Day Activities. Students are welcome to volunteer for Community Service hours too.

If you plan to watch the concert, please help out with Contacting Donors & Sponsors. Contacting Sponsors is not cold calling, because the EEU has great community partners. We truly appreciate the time you spend reconnecting with our valued community partners each year. For more information about our outreach programs, checkout 2023 Sponsorship Guide.

Please email the Big Band Blowout Coordinator with interest or questions at: bigbandblowout@ehseu.org.

Thank You to All Our Big Band Blowout Guest Artists!

2022 – Vincent Gardner (Trombone)
2021 – Terrell Stanford (Trumpet)
2019 – James Carter (Sax)
2018 – Wycliffe Gordon (Trombone)
2017 – Jeff Jarvis (Trumpet)
2016 – Bob Sheppard (Sax)
2015 – Francisco Torres (Trombone)
2014 – Chuck Findley (Trumpet)
2013 – Sal Lozano (Alto Sax)
2012 – Andy Martin (Trombone)
2011 – Jeff Clayton (Sax)
2010 – Wayne Bergeron (Trumpet)

2009 – Eric Merienthal (Sax)
2008 – Harry Watters (Trombone)
2007 – Sal Lozano (Sax/Woodwinds)
2006 – Bill Liston (Sax/Woodwinds)
2005 – Wayne Bergeron (Trumpet)
2004 – Andy Martin (Trombone)
2003 – Alex Iles (Trombone)
2002 – Bruce Babad (Sax/Woodwinds)
2001 – Bill Liston (Sax/Woodwinds)
2000 – Willie Murillo (Trumpet)
1999 – Bill Liston (Sax/Woodwinds)