Fontainebleau Jazz Ensemble One

The Fontainebleau Jazz Ensemble One (FJEO) is made up of a select group of students who are interested in playing big band jazz at its highest levels. This ensemble performs at many local cultural events, school concerts, jazz festivals, and special events throughout the community. In February 2006 the FJEO opened up for the late Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau where they also performed his popular hit “Theme from Rocky” with the jazz legend. The Fontainebleau band program has also hosted the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Count Basie Orchestra in live concerts held on the FHS campus. The band program has also hosted clinics with world renowned drummer Stanton Moore of Galactic and several special clinics with well known drummer, Dan Caro, who is a Fontainebleau alumnus.

In March 2008 the FJEO was invited to participate in the 1st annual Swing Central National Jazz Band Competition at the Savannah Music Festival in Savannah, Georgia.  The FJEO placed 4th out of the 12 school jazz ensembles invited from around the country. The band was excited to be part of such an exciting event and hopes to return soon. The other ensembles that placed ahead of the FJEO were: The Agoura High School Blue, from Agoura Hills, California, The Dillard School of the Arts from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and the New World School of the Arts from Miami, Florida. The FJEO students and directors were extremely impressed with these school ensembles and were very proud to be part of the festival.

In March of 2009 the FJEO was able to attend the Louisiana Association of Jazz Educators State Jazz Ensemble competition where they were named Louisiana Grand Champions.  Several members were named outstanding musicians and the saxophone section, trumpet section, and rhythm sections were all named most outstanding sections at the festival for their respective instruments. 

Emphasis in the FJEO is put into learning to rehearse and behave like a professional musician.  Students are challenged with music from all levels, young band arrangements through professional big band charts, and are expected to perform the music to the best of their abilities. Students also learn to improvise by listening to jazz musicians on their instrument, soloing in class and in rehearsals, and transcribe solos as often as possible.

Jazz Workshop Band

During the spring semester, a second jazz band, the Jazz Workshop band, is formed to offer more students the opportunity to play in a jazz ensemble and so more students can experience the benefits of participating in a jazz program.  This band sometimes includes students who learn a new instrument in order to play jazz.  This group rehearses once a week after school and is completely voluntary.  Any student who is interested in playing in the Jazz Workshop can do so if they are willing to attend all rehearsals and show up with a good attitude.