The Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music Big Band Performs Live

Summary

All Of It Podcast Summary
Episode: The Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music Big Band Performs Live
Host: Alison Stewart
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Duration: Approximately 25 minutes

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Introduction to the Episode

In this vibrant episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, listeners are treated to a live performance by the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music Big Band. This performance serves as a preview for the upcoming 30th Annual Essentially Ellington Festival held at Jazz at Lincoln Center from May 7th to 11th. The episode spotlights the intersection of culture, education, and music, celebrating the legacy of Duke Ellington through the talents of young musicians.

Preview of the Essentially Ellington Festival

Alison Stewart begins the episode by introducing the Celia Cruz Big Band, highlighting their selection for the prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival. This annual event celebrates Duke Ellington's music by inviting high school jazz bands from around the globe to perform. Stewart emphasizes the festival's role in fostering a community of thinkers, makers, and creators who contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of New York City.

Interview with Penelope Smetters Giacano and Todd Stoll

Band Introduction and Director's Remarks

At 00:28, Alison Stewart welcomes Penelope Smetters Giacano, director of the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music Band, and Todd Stoll, Vice President of Education at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Penelope enthusiastically lists the talented members of her band:

"On saxophone we have Nicholas Haughton, Sophia Salvatierra Paz, Joseph Sakik, Lisandra Reyes and Brian Beneguez... On trumpet we have Malay Powell, Chelsea Mendoza, who I'm going to give a shout out to. Today is her 18th birthday... On drums we have K.J. Donovan and Isaiah Laws."
[02:12] Penelope Smetters Giacano

Todd Stoll praises the band's precision:

"I want to say that's the most impressive thing I've seen. No notes, no nothing."
[02:14] Todd Stoll

Importance of Duke Ellington's Music

Later, at 08:20, Todd delves into why Duke Ellington's music remains crucial for young musicians:

"Duke Ellington, you know, arguably our greatest American composer. His music is so rich... Ellington's music teaches us so many lessons from, you know, our individual soloists and how important your individual voice is to the idea that sacrificing for the sake of a group like a band can't swing without individuals sacrificing... Blues was written into everything Duke Ellington did... facing, you know, adversity with persistent optimism."
[08:20] Todd Stoll

History and Significance of Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music Band

Penelope shares the band's origins and the influence of Celia Cruz:

"Our founding principal, Dr. William Rodriguez, had a vision for a school in the Bronx... it was just very important to have a home for that in our borough for our students when we opened. Celia Cruz was a great influence. She was also very into education and just the influence of someone who did so many wonderful things in music. Having her as our legacy to uphold has been phenomenal."
[09:40] & [10:04] Penelope Smetters Giacano

Selection Criteria for the Festival

At 10:29, Todd outlines what it takes for a band to be selected for Essentially Ellington:

"A director that's actually really committed to it. Many of our band directors have been involved in this process for not just years, but decades... The music is so sophisticated and nuanced and technically challenging that you have to have a great soloists, a great ensemble, or a swing and rhythm section... you have to have all those things, kind of have to meet."
[10:29] Todd Stoll

Emotional Responses and Experiences

Penelope recounts the emotional moment of their selection at 11:38:

"Oh, their absolute melee. The whole band room completely erupted. I cried. Everyone cried... it was just a great energy and a really, really exciting moment for us."
[11:38] Penelope Smetters Giacano

She further reflects on the significance of achieving this milestone post-pandemic at 11:56:

"These students are the students who actually did their auditions for me via video. They're a really, really special group who's gone through so much... to be recognized as one of the top 30 bands in the world is a feeling that's completely indescribable."
[11:56] Penelope Smetters Giacano

Live Performances by the Band

"aclupaca" from the Latin American Suite

At 02:19, Penelope introduces their first performance piece:

"We're going to kick it off with aclupaca from the Latin American suite."

The band delivers a spirited rendition of "aclupaca", showcasing their technical prowess and the rich cultural influences that define Duke Ellington's compositions.

"I Didn't Know About You" and "What Am I Here For?"

Following the initial performance, Penelope announces the next pieces:

"We're gonna hear I Didn't Know About You followed by What Am I Here For?"
[12:51] Penelope Smetters Giacano

The band performs "I Didn't Know About You", featuring vocals by Ms. Luz of Alaska, and "What Am I Here For?", further demonstrating their versatility and deep understanding of Ellington's music.

30th Anniversary and Global Expansion

During the performance break at 22:07, Todd discusses the decision to open the festival globally for its 30th anniversary:

"Duke Ellington was a universal humanist who traveled all around the world... The Jazz League Center Orchestra believes in that. Wynton Marsalis believes in that... this is the, you know, what better time to invite the world in."
[22:31] Todd Stoll

This global approach honors Ellington's legacy as a composer who bridged diverse cultures through music.

Competition and Community Aspects

Alison probes into the competitive nature of the festival at 22:07:

"Is it a competition? Is it more of, like, everybody for everybody?"
[23:43] Alison Stewart

Todd explains the balance between competition and celebration:

"It's actually a competition. There's something about the pressure that we think focuses kids... but it's friendly. The festival is a celebration. The kids cheer each other on and the competitive spirit is really there, I think, to hone the concentration and the focus... we break those barriers down. The enthusiasm they show for each other is pretty impressive."
[23:47] Todd Stoll

This duality fosters both excellence and camaraderie among young musicians from around the world.

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Alison Stewart thanks the guests and emphasizes the excitement surrounding the Essentially Ellington Festival:

"My guests have been Todd Stoll, vice president of education at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Penelope Smetters Giacano, director of bands at Celia Cruz... Thanks for coming in, y'all."
[24:35] Alison Stewart

The episode concludes with a final performance, leaving listeners inspired by the dedication and talent of the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music Big Band.

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Notable Quotes:

• Penelope Smetters Giacano [02:12]: "On trumpet we have Malay Powell, Chelsea Mendoza, who I'm going to give a shout out to. Today is her 18th birthday..."

• Todd Stoll [08:20]: "Duke Ellington's music teaches us so many lessons from, you know, our individual soloists and how important your individual voice is..."

• Penelope Smetters Giacano [11:38]: "Their absolute melee. The whole band room completely erupted. I cried."

• Todd Stoll [22:31]: "Duke Ellington was a universal humanist who traveled all around the world... this is the, you know, what better time to invite the world in."

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This episode of All Of It masterfully intertwines live musical performances with insightful discussions on education, cultural legacy, and the enduring impact of Duke Ellington's work. It highlights the transformative power of music in shaping young minds and fostering a global community of passionate artists.

Transcript

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[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. The annual Essentially Ellington Festival returns next week to Jazz at Lincoln center. It's its 30th year. The festival celebrates the music of Duke Ellington and it does so by inviting high school jazz bands to perform from around the country and this year from around the world. To help us preview the festival right now in the studio we have one of the 30 bands selected this year fresh off the D train, the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music. The students are here to play for us lives. Let them know you're here. Hello. Essentially Ellington is open to the public on May 7th through the 11th. They also have in studio the band's director, Penelope Smetters Giaccano. Nice to meet you.

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

Hi. Thanks so much for having us.

[Alison Stewart]

And Todd Stoll, vice president of education at Jazz at Lincoln Center. It's nice to meet you.

[Todd Stoll]

Nice to meet you. Good afternoon.

[Alison Stewart]

So, Penelope, before we get started, can you name everybody in the band real quick?

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

I would love to. So on saxophone we have Nicholas Haughton, Sophia Salvatierra Paz, Joseph Sakik, Lisandra Reyes and Brian Beneguez. On trombone we have Justin Carillo Damian we have Jeremy Aceadu and Story Edwards. On trumpet we have Malay Powell, Chelsea Mendoza, who I'm going to give a shout out to. Today is her 18th birthday. Isabela Borges and Kayla Garcia. On piano we have Jose Morales and Christina Rodriguez. On bass we have Eduardo Ortega Jr. On guitar we have Finn Rosseter. And on drums we have K.J. donovan and Isaiah Laws.

[Alison Stewart]

Whew. Got em all.

[Todd Stoll]

I want to say that's the most impressive thing I've seen.

[Student Performer]

That's amazing.

[Todd Stoll]

No notes, no nothing.

[Alison Stewart]

What are you going to perform for us?

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

We're going to kick it off with aclupaca from the Latin American suite.

[Narrator/Host]

You just heard students from the Sierra Cruz High School big band performing the music of Duke Ellington. They were selected to participate in Jazz at Lincoln Center's 30th annual Essentially Ellington Festival happening May 7th through the 11th. I have the band's director here, Penelope Smetter Chicano, as well as Todd Stoll, vice president of education at Jazz at Lincoln Center. What does what we just heard Tell you why it's important for kids to learn about Duke Ellington.

[Todd Stoll]

Wow, that's a pretty. Pretty big question. I mean, Duke Ellington, you know, arguably our greatest American composer. His music is so rich. And it's funny, this piece. I was thinking about what this piece represents, because you have the influence of Central and Latin American. You have the African diaspora, and then you have kind of the quintessential piece of American music, which is the blues. So you have that change in the middle of it where. And it goes to the shuffle beat, which is like the perfect example of, you know, the African 6, 8 mixing with kind of the march beat. And that shuffle beat is like. That's like the American thing. You hear that across all genres of American music. But there's. So Duke Ellington's music teaches us so many lessons from, you know, our individual soloists and how important your individual voice is to the idea that sacrificing for the sake of a group like a band can't swing without individuals sacrificing. Something that maybe is sorely missed in our country these days. And, you know, then also just the fact that blues are written into this. Blues was written into everything Duke Ellington did, you know, and that's facing, you know, adversity with persistent optimism.

[Narrator/Host]

Sea Cruise opened in 2003. You were one of the founding members, one of the founding staff members. What was important to you when you started the music program?

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

So our founding principal, Dr. William Rodriguez, had a vision for a school in the Bronx. Previously, there was nowhere if students wanted to study music in high school, they had to go down to Manhattan. And so he felt very strongly that we should have somewhere for our Bronx students to study and be able to go to that level. So it was just very important to have a home for that in our borough for our students when we open.

[Narrator/Host]

What do you see as the role of Celia Cruz?

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

Well, she passed the year that we opened, and so, of course, she's a great influence. Remember that. She was also very into education and just the influence of someone who did so many wonderful things in music. And having her as our legacy to uphold has been phenomenal.

[Narrator/Host]

Todd, what does a school band need to have to be selected for? Essentially, Ellington.

[Todd Stoll]

A director that's actually really committed to it. I mean, that's kind of where it starts. Our band directors, many of them, have been involved in this process for not just years, but decades. Penny, you've applied this competition how many times? 15?

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

Not. Not quite that many, but.

[Todd Stoll]

Yeah, but you've been. You've been submitting for A while.

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

We've been. We've been trying to hack away at those charts for a while.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah.

[Todd Stoll]

I mean, and the music is so sophisticated and nuanced and technically challenging that you have to have a great. You know, I had a band director just emailed me, you know, a month ago and said, you know, if. If I had a choice but having great soloists or a great ensemble or a swing and rhythm section, which would it be? And my answer to him was yes. Yeah, you have to have all those things, kind of have to meet. And it's, you know, it's a labor of love for us. We have schools from all over the country and now all over the world that have been playing this music for 30 years. We've published almost 200 charts that were never available before. And, you know, over a million kids have played this music now. So we're just. We're over the moon this year for the 30th anniversary.

[Narrator/Host]

So what did your kids. What did it sound like when you told them they had made the Essential Ellington Festival?

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

Oh, their absolute melee. The whole band room completely erupted. I cried. Everyone cried. I think it was absolute melee. Like, everyone out of their seats. It was just a great energy and a really, really exciting moment for us.

[Narrator/Host]

What did it mean to you to make it this time in person, too?

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

So. Well, that's exactly it. So the first time we made the finals ever was in 2020, and so we were able to cross that bridge and then not get onto the stage. So that was a really rough time, obviously, for the entire world. So this time, this group of students are the students who actually did their auditions for me. These seniors auditioned for me via video. We were still not in person when I met these children as eighth graders. So they're a really, really special group who's gone through so much. So for these to be the students, to be able to come out of a pandemic, bring their musicianship to such a high level, and then be recognized as one of the top 30 bands in the world is a feeling that's completely indescribable.

[Narrator/Host]

My guests are Todd Stoll, vice president of education at Jazz Lincoln center, and Penelope Smetters Giacano, director of bands at Celia Cruz. Penny has brought her students along with us from the Celia Cruz. We're gonna hear two more songs. Yeah, two more songs. What are we gonna hear?

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

We're gonna hear I didn't know about you followed by what am I here for?

[Alison Stewart]

All right, let's hear the Celia Cruz big Band. And they're Switching. The drummers are switching. And she's coming over here and she's going there.

[Todd Stoll]

Might mention that next year is the Celia Cruise centennial next year to see a cruise concert. And we're planning two concerts honoring Celia Cruz and jazz League center season next year. So the details on jazz.org very soon.

[Alison Stewart]

Love that.

[Student Performer]

I ran around with my own little crowd the usual laughs not often but loud and in the world that I knew I didn't know about you Chasing after the rain on the merry go round Just taking my fun where it could be found and yet what else could I do? I didn't know about you darling I know I've had the loneliest yesterday Every day in your arms I know for once in my life I'm living had a good time every time I went out Romance was a thing I kidded about how could I know about love? I didn't know about you darling Now I've had the love yesterday Every day in your arms I know for one once in my life I reverend had a good time Every time I went out Romance was a thing I kidded about how could I know about love? I didn't know about you I didn't know about you.

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

And ladies and gentlemen, that was Ms. Luz of Alaska was on vocals.

[Alison Stewart]

Lose.

[Narrator/Host]

That's for you. What's the next song we're going to hear?

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

What am I Here For? Is up next.

[Narrator/Host]

Let's check it out.

[Alison Stewart]

That's the Seal Cruise big band performing live. The band is competing this year at Jazz at Lincoln Center's essentially Ellington festival. It's happening May 7th through 11th. I want to give a shout out to two of our engineers, Irene Trudell and George Wellington, for putting this all together. Todd, as you were thinking about the 30th anniversary of essentially Ellington, you opened this up globally. Tell us why.

[Todd Stoll]

You know, Duke Ellington was a universal humanist who traveled all around the world for years and years. And he wrote many, many pieces of music based on those travels. The Far East Suite, the Latin American Suite. He believed that this music was a universal gift. And, you know, so many of his musicians were from other places. And, you know, he, towards the end of his life, he had, you know, a trumpet player from Stockholm. He had a tenor player from the Canary Islands. He had a trombone player from Puerto Rico. He believed in that. And the Jazz League Center Orchestra believes in that. Wynton Marsalis believes in that. And we tour internationally a lot and we've met directors around the world and thought this is the, you know, what better time to invite the world in.

[Alison Stewart]

Than the 30th anniversary playing jazz at Lincoln Center. It's no joke, Penny.

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

No joke.

[Alison Stewart]

Have you thought about how you're gonna prepare for the day?

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

Well, I mean, we've been thinking about that for months. So, yeah, I mean, when it comes down to it, we're just so honored and we feel so grateful to be amongst such excellence. So when it's time to get out there, we're gonna go and we're gonna do what is our best and be out there to cheer everyone else on that's doing this. We're really excited for that.

[Alison Stewart]

And tell us how it goes.

[Narrator/Host]

Is it a competition? Is it more of, like, everybody for everybody?

[Todd Stoll]

It's actually a competition. There's something about the pressure that we think focuses kids and focuses people, but it's friendly. It's very. The thing that's really impressive if you come to the festival and competition, which is why we put festival there first, because it's a celebration. The kids cheer each other on and the competitive spirit is really there, I think, to hone the concentration and the focus. But there's a jam session at dinner the night before. We seat the kids by instrument. They're with kids from all over the world. And really, we break those barriers down. The enthusiasm they show for each other is pretty impressive.

[Narrator/Host]

My guests have been Todd Stoll, vice president of education at Jazz at Lincoln center, and Penelope Smetters Giancano, director of.

[Alison Stewart]

Bands at Celia Cruz, as well as the students in the Celia Cruz Big Band. They were selected to compete at this.

[Narrator/Host]

Year'S Jazz at Lincoln Center's 30th, essentially.

[Alison Stewart]

Ellington Festival, happening May 7th through 11th. Thanks for coming in, y'all. You do talk. Yes, you talk.

[Student Performer]

Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm Alison Stewart. I appreciate you listening. I appreciate you. I will meet you back here next time. Thank you so much.

[Penelope Smetters Giacano]

Thank you.

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