Knights of Jazz
Encyclopedia
The Knights of Jazz was a musical Jazz
ensemble composed of students from Kincardine District Secondary School
(KDSS) in Kincardine, Ontario
of the Bluewater District School Board
. Under the leadership of Ian Burbidge, the Knights of Jazz operated from the early 1970s to the year 2000.
The Knights of Jazz were first formed in 1975, by the KDSS music teacher Blake Smith. Some of the original band members included the Tusz sisters (Terry - trombone and Margaret - trumpet), and their brother Louis (bass guitar), Jane Ellenton (clarinet/tenor sax), Ozzie Argalis (trumpet), Jim Scurfield
(drums), Ian Allingham (trombone), Kevin Orr (rhythm guitar) etc. The Knights of Jazz first major road trip was to Northern Ontario in the spring of 1977 and included engagements at the high schools in the towns of Chapleau, Manitouwadge, Marathon, and Wawa.
In their 30 year lifespan, the Knights of Jazz attended the MusicFest Canada
competitions annually, earning many Gold Standards. During the 1980 school year, under conductor Blake Smith, the Knights traveled to England. They attended the Harrogate Music Festival where they were very well received. This trip was so successful that the Knights returned to Harrogate in the spring of 1983, but this time under the direction of the band "doctor", Dr. Tusz.
In their final years, the Knights of Jazz earned a Gold Standard performing such songs as "In the Mood
," "Peter Gunn
Theme," and "Girl from Ipanema" at the Georgian Bay MusicFest competition.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
ensemble composed of students from Kincardine District Secondary School
Kincardine District Secondary School
Kincardine & District Secondary School is a public high school in the town of Kincardine, Ontario, Canada. It is one of 11 high schools in the Bluewater District School Board...
(KDSS) in Kincardine, Ontario
Kincardine, Ontario
The Municipality of Kincardine is located on the shores of Lake Huron in the County of Bruce in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has a population of 12,000, and covers an area of 580 square kilometres...
of the Bluewater District School Board
Bluewater District School Board
The Bluewater District School Board is a school board in the Canadian province of Ontario, with jurisdiction for the operation of schools in Bruce and Grey counties....
. Under the leadership of Ian Burbidge, the Knights of Jazz operated from the early 1970s to the year 2000.
The Knights of Jazz were first formed in 1975, by the KDSS music teacher Blake Smith. Some of the original band members included the Tusz sisters (Terry - trombone and Margaret - trumpet), and their brother Louis (bass guitar), Jane Ellenton (clarinet/tenor sax), Ozzie Argalis (trumpet), Jim Scurfield
Scurfield
The family name Scurfield appears to be of Old Norse, or Viking origin. “Scur” in Old English is “shower” as in rain. In Old Norse “skur” also carries the meaning shower, as in shower of rain, or a shower of arrows...
(drums), Ian Allingham (trombone), Kevin Orr (rhythm guitar) etc. The Knights of Jazz first major road trip was to Northern Ontario in the spring of 1977 and included engagements at the high schools in the towns of Chapleau, Manitouwadge, Marathon, and Wawa.
In their 30 year lifespan, the Knights of Jazz attended the MusicFest Canada
MusicFest Canada
MusicFest Canada is a competition festival, established as the Canadian Stage Band Festival in Toronto, in 1972, by Robert Richmond , Gary Wadsworth, and Paul Miner...
competitions annually, earning many Gold Standards. During the 1980 school year, under conductor Blake Smith, the Knights traveled to England. They attended the Harrogate Music Festival where they were very well received. This trip was so successful that the Knights returned to Harrogate in the spring of 1983, but this time under the direction of the band "doctor", Dr. Tusz.
In their final years, the Knights of Jazz earned a Gold Standard performing such songs as "In the Mood
In the Mood
"In the Mood" is a big band era #1 hit recorded by American bandleader Glenn Miller. Joe Garland and Andy Razaf arranged "In the Mood" in 1937-1939 using a previously existing main theme composed by Glenn Miller before the start of the 1930s...
," "Peter Gunn
Peter Gunn
Peter Gunn is an American private eye television series which aired on the NBC and later ABC television networks from 1958 to 1961. The show's creator was Blake Edwards...
Theme," and "Girl from Ipanema" at the Georgian Bay MusicFest competition.