Story By John Mann

The Whole Backstage Theater in Guntersville, which just wrapped up it’s 51st production season, had a full house last Friday night as they welcomed the Sand Mountain Jazz band for a one night show.

“We were blown away by the audience,” trumpet player Nathan Haskew, who is also the band director for Albertville Middle School and helped organize the jazz band, said. “We opened the doors at 6:30 and even then we already had a full house coming in. It’s awesome to see because this kind of music brings back a lot of memories for people and is really feel-good so we were happy we could share it with such a great group.”

Sand Mountain Jazz, a standard jazz band that includes fixe saxophones, four trombones, four trumpets, two guitars, piano and drums is made up of individuals with ties to the Sand Mountain area and includes current and former teachers, band directors and professionals.

The show featured ten jazz classics that included instantly recognizable songs like Route 66, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Fly Me to the Moon. Haskew introduced the opening number, In the Mood, setting the stage for the kind of music that would be brought to life on the stage.

“What you’re about to hear is one of the most iconic, toe tapping and high flying tunes of the twentieth century,” he said. “The number stormed the air waves in 1939 and turned dance halls into electric playgrounds and became the anthem of an entire swing generation.”

The concert was more than just a fun show for the community though, as the band had a purpose behind their playing. During the show Haskew announced that all donations received from their performances would be going to benefit student music programs in the greater Marshall County area. 

Even without a charge at the door from donations alone the concert was able to raise 2,035.00, which the band decided to split between two local high schools. First, the Douglas High School marching band will receive $800.00 to help with their upcoming trip to Hawaii to play during the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks in December. In fact, it was at a fundraiser for the Douglas band that Sand Mountain Jazz played their debut show earlier this summer. Meanwhile, Asbury High School will receive the remaining $1200.00 to help with their effort to get their new marching band up and running.

“I can’t stress how important it is that we all support the arts,” Haskew said. “The arts and music have given so much to each of us that were on that stage tonight and this is just one small way we can give something back. These kids work so hard and they deserve every opportunity we can give them so anything we can raise is a big deal.”

More information about Sand Mountain Jazz can be found on their Facebook page at “Sand Mountain Jazz” while The Whole Backstage can be found on their website at wholebackstage.com.