Three days before jazz pianist Chick Corea won a Grammy, James Rothenberger of Brier was on stage with him at a Hollywood, Calif., jazz club.
"(Corea) definitely has a very unique style from most jazz piano players, and it was refreshing to listen to him," Rothenberger said Monday, recalling the Thursday night gig at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood.
The night was part of the big week for Rothenberger, 17, a senior at Mountlake Terrace High School, who played lead trumpet in the Gibson/Baldwin Grammy High School Jazz Band.
The Grammy Foundation chose the 18 band members from more than 450 applicants from the United States and Canada, Rothenberger said. Many members are from private schools or public schools geared to the arts.
"I knew they’re going to be good, but I didn’t know they’re going to be better than most professional bands," said Rothenberger, who flew home Monday.
Many band members had a strong family background in jazz, Rothenberger said. Marcus Gilmore, the drummer, was a grandson of renowned jazz drummer Roy Haynes.
"I couldn’t believe I was playing with him," said Rothenberger, who started playing trumpet in fifth grade.
In addition to the session with Corea, the band played last week at different locations in Los Angles before performing at the Grammy nominee reception Saturday and at a celebration party Sunday.
Darin Faul, director of the Mountlake Terrace band, said Rothenberger was the first to join the prestigious Grammy band from the high school.
"When an individual is surrounded by the best jazz musicians around the country, that’s inspirational," Faul said.
Rothenberger said he enjoyed being in the audience at the Grammys, too. Arturo Sandoval, his favorite trumpet player, played during Justin Timberlake’s performance.
"That was very cool to see," he said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara:
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