The Concert Jazz Band from Hall High School performed at the West Hartford Senior Center at the Elmwood Community Center on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

By Hadley Smith

Hall’s award-winning Concert Jazz Band’s schedule has been filled with visiting parts of the community before heading off to Europe later this year; they’ve visited elementary schools, recording studios, West Hartford Center, and now, they’ve visited the Elmwood Community Center to bring some holiday joy.

On Wednesday afternoon, CJB performed repertoire featuring Rudolph, Frosty, Jingle Bells, all mixed with Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, and various other later-century artists. The crowd of seniors enjoyed throwbacks to recordings from their younger years, while others in the audience merely enjoyed the familiar melodies of holiday classics. 

The turnout for the concert was expected to be 30 residents; CJB was flummoxed at over 100 people waiting to hear their selections. Similarly, dressed in their tuxes, Hall’s CJB barely fit onto the Elmwood stage.

Hall Concert Jazz Band concert at the Elmwood Community Center on Dec. 10, 2025. Photo credit: Hadley Smith

“We were all up there trying to get the instruments situated when we realized that there were still people coming through the doors, and the chairs were quickly filling up. We wouldn’t want it any other way, though,” commented Casey Pyro, a trumpet player in CJB, with a smile and a shrug. 

An Elmwood Community Center staff member stated, “It’s one of the concerts that the seniors stick around after to congratulate the students on. It’s incredible the turnout we get at this event, just because they all want to hear them play tunes they recognize.” After the concert, CJB members chatted with those who came up to them while packing away their equipment. 

Musicians gather before the Hall Concert Jazz Band concert at the Elmwood Community Center on Dec. 10, 2025. Photo credit: Hadley Smith

“Every year they’re getting better and better,” laughed a senior resident while complimenting Phil Giampietro on the performance. Many in the crowd themselves were jazz musicians, and some, as they told the band members, still perform when they can.

Events like these have helped support the Elmwood Community Center and its visitors every year, along with providing a connection point between generations of the same town. After they record for the Essentially Ellington Competition later this year, CJB has stated that they will be returning in this spring to put on another performance at the Elmwood Community Center, along with Hall’s jazz ensemble.

Hall is looking to expand its relationship with the Senior Center and its activities, including being able to play for more than just the area residents and staff. “We want to bring the music to anyone who wants to attend; right now, it’s primarily the residents, but soon we’ll want to have a holiday jazz concert for the general public. More people should have the accessibility to enjoy a performance at this time of year,” expressed Julia Wickless, pianist for CJB, after the concert.

Hall, and in particular its concert jazz band, performs several times a year, even making time to go to Europe over the spring break to perform the famous Pops ‘n Jazz show there. However, even with these performances, Hall wishes to expand its possible audience and create new spaces for more residents to listen.

While no plans have been revealed, yet, regardless the band, according to its director Phil Giampietro, will always continue to perform at the Elmwood Community Center to spread the joy of music.

Happy holidays and festivities, from CJB!

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