'The Tonight Show' band to perform benefit concert
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Matt Finders

Lindero Canyon Middle School is jazzed about an upcoming performance by the "The Tonight Show" All Stars.

Past and present band members from NBC's Tonight Show band will perform a benefit concert on Wed., Feb. 13 on the school campus to raise money to help send Jazz Band "A" students to the Reno Jazz Festival in April.

Matt Finders, the director of Lindero's Jazz Band B and a trombonist for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" will play bass, and Matt McKagan, the school's band director, will join the group and play trombone.

Other "Tonight Show" performers include Chuck Findley on trumpet, Mitch Holder on guitar and Kevin Kanner on drums. Saxophone players include Ralph Moore on tenor, Tom Peterson on baritone and alto sax player Brian Scanlon.

Jazz students have participated in the event since 2003, he said.

"The Reno Jazz Festival, in particular, is an amazing festival because of the incredible atmosphere and apparent appreciation for jazz created by the energy and enthusiasm of the participation of over 200 jazz bands from all across the country," McKagen said.

"It is very thrilling for our students to be involved in this experience. They also get a chance to see and listen to other students play jazz, which is a wonderful learning experience," McKagen said.

Finders said the Reno Festival is among the largest in the region.

"In music education, listening is learning," Finders said. "Participating in festivals gives the group a shared goal and builds a sense of purpose and great energy, strategies that enrich classroom instruction and rehearsal time."

Band members have impressive experience and are expected to draw a large crowd at the fundraiser, said McKagen.

Peterson performed with the "Tonight Show" band for 17 years, when legendary trumpeter Doc Severinsen reined. He also performed with studio bands on several television programs, including "The Sonny and Cher Show," "The Dinah Shore Show," "MASH," "Simon and Simon" and several Walt Disney projects.

Holder, too, has performed with musical giants, including Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Ella Fitzgerald. Holder has also done studio work for popular television series, including "The Simpsons," "Cheers" and "Coach."

Findley performed with the Jimmy Dorsey Big Band led by Lee Castle and studied with Carmine Caruso in New York. He joined the Buddy Rich Band and toured the Orient, Europe and then the United States, eventually relocating to Los Angeles and launching a successful recording career. Findley played lead trumpet for Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" led by Doc Severinson and also performed with Jay Leno on the show.

Moore has been a member of the "Tonight Show" Orchestra since 1995. In 1987, he toured with the Dizzy Gillespie Reunion Big Band. Moore has also produced many records.

Scanlon has been active in the music scene since 1987. He's toured with songanddance man Ben Vereen, was a member of the "Tonight Show" Orchestra and toured with Doc Severinsen.

Drummer Kanner has earned many jazz credits, including recording with Paul Anka and Bill Holman, who was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2006 and '07. Kanner has performed with a wide range of jazz bands and has toured extensively.

Since McKagan joined the staff as music director in 1990, enrollment in his program has grown to 400 students, about one-third of the student body, he said. His concert and jazz bands have been granted several awards, including consistent "superior" ratings at local festivals and at the Heritage Festival in San Diego.

In addition to teaching, McKagan played the trombone professionally and was the director of the Westlake-Agoura Hills-Las Virgenes Community Concert and Jazz Bands. He has received the Agoura Hills Chamber of Commerce's Outstanding Educator Award, the Mr. Holland's Opus Award, the Los Angeles Music Center's BRAVO Award and the Amgen Award for Teacher Excellence.

Finders conducts the beginning jazz band and two combo bands at Lindero Canyon. He has played trombone for the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" band since Leno took over the show from Johnny Carson. He has performed with Harry Connick Jr., Natalie Cole, Sting, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and others.

Music students at the school have attended the Reno Jazz Festival for several years and have earned many awards at the prestigious national festival, said Finders.

Last year the school's Jazz A Big Band and A Combo groups earned second place in their divisions.

The 46th annual Reno Jazz Festival ranks as one of the largest in the nation, according to organizers. In 2007, the festival attracted more than 9,000 participants and guests.

The concert will take place at the Lindero Canyon Middle School's Capretta Memorial Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Tickets are $15 each, and there will be open seating. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at the school through the music office.

Lindero Canyon Middle School is at 5844 Larboard Lane in Agoura Hills. For information call the school at (818) 889-2134.