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The Orange County High School of the Arts Jazz and Commercial Music
Program was formed to offer advanced junior high and high school
musicians an opportunity to participate in high-energy, high-powered
jazz ensembles in a professional environment.
The program consists of the Ambassador Jazz Orchestra: a 20-piece big
band, three Jazz Combos, and the eclectic group called the
Not-Straight-Ahead Ensemble. Students in the program have had the
opportunity to work with guest artists such as The Clayton Brothers
Quintet, Bobby Rodriguez, The Anthony Wilson Nonet, Eric Marienthal,
Barbara Morrison, Bill Cunliffe Latin Jazz group and Bob Sheppard to
name a few. The ensembles of the Jazz and Commercial Music Program have
earned first place awards in their divisions at the Reno International
Jazz Festival, Fullerton College Jazz Festival and the Valencia Jazz
Festival. |
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Saxophonist Keith Fiddmont was born in the jazz-rich city of St. Louis,
Missouri. He received his first formal training on piano, switching to
clarinet and saxophone in high school. After receiving a bachelor’s
degree in filmmaking from Boston University, he went on to earn a
master’s degree in jazz and commercial music from Manhattan School of
Music.
During his years of graduate study, he toured the world with the
Lionel Hampton Orchestra. He remained with the group from 1985 - 1988.
After playing with various small combos and big bands in and around the
New York area, Fiddmont moved to Los Angeles in 1991.
He began touring with singer Rickie Lee Jones later that year, and
remained until late 1992. Fiddmont has since recorded or performed live
with such legends as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and Jennifer
Holliday, as well as gifted artists like Kenny Rankin, Billy Childs,
Gary Taylor, and Tony, Toni, Tone'. He is a featured player on several
recently released projects: Tom Kennedy's “Basses Loaded,” Gary Taylor's
“Time After Time,” and Leslie Drayton's “Urbanesque.”
Fiddmont is currently a member of several jazz performing groups, the
most notable being the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. He is a member
of the music faculty of Santa Monica College where, in addition to
teaching academic courses, he conducts the Jazz Ensemble. Fiddmont
joined the Orange County High School of the Arts faculty in fall 2007. |
