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By J.R. Brower

The Peters Township High School auditorium was jamming on Saturday evening, May 16 as 22 alumni jazz musicians held their seventh annual concert.

Great musical talent was on display at the Alumni Jazz Band show.

An excellent turnout experienced the performance, led by PTHS Band Director Milt Barney, a saxophonist who also directs the wind symphony, concert band, student jazz band, and pep band.

The annual concert allows for alumni to maintain their musical camaraderie as well as raise money for the Dave Pew Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit deserving students who plan to study music in college. Pew was a nationally recognized big band and jazz musician in his own right, who led the music program in the Peters Township School District from 1958 to 1986.

Participating this year in PTHS Alumni Band were saxophonists Milt Barney, Robert Bell, John DiSalle, Neil Mikec and Jim Simpson; trumpeters J.D. Chaisson, John DeFazio, Kenton Hummel, Jim Kiser, John MacKay, Adam Shope and Dave Spahr; trombonists Gene Chapman, Mitch Kreider, Mike Rauch, Garrett Sanders and Mark Sanders; keyboardists Alex Luketich and Mark Trois; percussionist Danny Leon; guitarist Matt Barranti; and bassist Gene Hudak.

PTHS graduates in the band ranged from classes of the 1960s to an alumnus from 2013. As was the case in past alumni shows, many of the jazz players travelled to McMurray from all over the country to participate.

The group played 12 songs with outstanding solos dispersed throughout. The program include great jazz songs from yesteryear including "Take the A Train" by Duke Ellington, "Adios Muchacho" by Lenny Sanders, "Stars Fell on Alabama" by Frank Perkins, "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Harry Warren, "Satin Doll" by Duke Ellington and Billy

PTHS Band Director Milt Barney talks to Jim Modery, an outstanding musician from the PTHS Class of 1962.

Strayhorn, "Canadian Sunset" by Eddie Heywood, "Jersey Bounce" arranged by Pittsburgher Sammy Nestico, longtime friend of Dave Pew, "It's Oh So Nice" by Count Basie, "The Shadow of Your Smile" by Johnny Mandel, "Tenor Madness", originally recorded by Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane, "Jumpin at the Woodside" by Count Basie from his 1968 album 'Wild and Swingin' and "Down for Double" by Freddie Greene, also made famous by Count Basie.

Included in the large audience were members of Dave's family, Dave Pew Jr. and Becky Pew. For more information on the Dave Pew Memorial Scholarship Fund, please call 724-222-6330, e-mail info@wccf.net or visit the website www.wccf.net.

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Prominently displayed at the concert was Dave Pew's well-used trumpet.

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