The Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band has long been considered one of the finest musical ensembles in the country. Year after year it consistently earns some of the highest rankings at the festivals in which it competes. Since it’s beginnings in the early 1950’s, the musicians in this group have performed jazz music at a level not typical of high school age students.

According to a May 2001 article in the Yardley News, one of the earliest “bookings” on record for the novice band came on June 2, 1960 when the Pennsbury “Stage Band,” as PCJB was then known, appeared on Chubby Jackson’s early morning program, “The Little Rascals Show,” broadcast in New York, Ch. 7, WABC-TV. Time traveling back even further, to the early 50s, a group of Pennsbury musicians formed and called themselves the “Dance Band,” reminiscent of those popular bands from the big band era of the previous decade.

Area locals with an historical musical perspective may recall the Lambertville (NJ) Music Circus where top musicians in the jazz world had frequent billings. Dated newspaper clippings from the band archives highlight several appearances made at this popular venue by the Pennsbury Stage Band. It was directed by Pennsbury music teacher, Don Smith, who is credited with having formed the band around 1954. Music Circus impresario, St. John Terrell, called the Pennsbury band “one of the most interesting and tightly organized jazz bands” he knew. In an early band archive news clipping, on a May 1961 Lambertville Music Circus booking, a reporter wrote that “many of the high notes flowing from the brass bells amazed musicians in the audience, since musicians of this (high school) age rarely attain the music control to produce such difficult passages.”

From their first notes played in the band room at PHS, many PCJB alumni have gone on to successful careers as professional musicians gracing stages and recording studios around the world. Many others have become music educators inspiring countless students to achieve their own high level of musical excellence.

Thank you to all of the Band's directors through the years- Founders Don Smith and Bill Fabrizio, John Mack, Barry Vannauker, Gene Polaski, Mike Grothman, Kawika Kahalehoe, Mark Morris, Chris Bygott, Frank Mazzeo and Jon Rees for their dedication to bringing out the talents of the young ladies and men who have been a part of the Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band.

Visit: pennsburybands.org for information on the current band.
 

Here are a few PCJB Historical Highlights
 

More to come!