Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The Fontainebleau Jazz Ensemble One is made up of a select group of students interested in playing big band jazz at its highest levels. The band has been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally for being one of the top high school jazz big bands in America on several occasions. Past notable performances include the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL (2010 and 2019), the Jazz Education Network International Conference (2011 and 2020), the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans, and was chosen to participate in the Swing Central Jazz High School Big Band Competition in Savannah, Georgia in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015.
On the more local level the group performs at school concerts, local cultural events, local jazz festivals, and various special events throughout the North Shore and Greater New Orleans community. The Fontainebleau band program has also hosted numerous jazz concerts to bring professional, live jazz performances to the North Shore community. Past concerts held at Fontainebleau High School include Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Wycliffe Gordon, The Drifters, and the Count Basie Orchestra. The band has also performed with or hosted clinics with musicians such as Wycliffe Gordon, Joey DeFrancesco, Ronnie Kole, Roland Guerin, Stanton Moore, Jason Marsalis, Mark Mullins, Bonerama, George Porter, Jr., Matt Lemmler, Dan Caro, and more.
Alumni of the Fontainebleau Band program have gone on to attend some of the most prestigious universities in the country including the University of North Texas, Berklee College of Music, Loyola University of New Orleans, Yale, University of Tennessee, University of Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Louisiana State University, Tulane University, La. Tech, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana Lafayette, znd the University of Louisiana Monroe. Fontainebleau Jazz Ensemble One alumni have performed and toured with Dr. John, Ryan Adams, Betty Who, Grace Potter, Better Than Ezra, and others.
For more information about the Fontainebleau Jazz Ensemble One, the Fontainebleau High School Band program, or to make a donation to support the instrumental music program at Fontainebleau High School please visit the bands website at www.fhscrimsonband.com.
Fontainebleau High School Jazz Ensemble One
Conductor's Bio
Mr. Lee Hicks is in his 18th year as the Director of Bands at Fontainebleau High School. Since Mr. Hicks’ arrival at Fontainebleau the FHS Band program has become one of the most well-rounded and successful programs in Louisiana. Mr. Hicks' ensembles consistently receive superior ratings at concert, marching, and jazz assessments. Mr. Hicks feels blessed to be working with incredible students, parents and supportive colleagues and administrators.
Before returning to school to pursue his degree in music education, Mr. Hicks, a woodwind doubler, played music professionally around the city of New Orleans and the Gulf South region. He continues to perform professionally as often as possible. Mr. Hicks has performed with many professional ensembles such as the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, numerous nations tours at the Saenger Theater New Orleans, a variety of professional theater productions, several big bands, and numerous brass bands, soul, funk, rock and Latin bands. He has also performed with celebrities such as Bernadette Peters, Barry Manilow, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Lou Rawls, Shirley Jones, Wayne Newton, Bobby Vinton, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell, Jerry Lewis, Natalie Cole, The Coasters, Patti LaBelle, The O’Jays, and more. He has recorded for Six Flags Entertainment, The National D-Day Museum, several New Orleans musicians and composers, The John Mahoney Big Band and with the jazz vocal group Five by Design.
An active clinician and adjudicator, Mr. Hicks belongs to several music organizations including the Louisiana Music Educators Association, in which he serves as the Jazz Division Chairman for Louisiana, Music Educators National Conference, Jazz Educators Network, and is a board member for the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education.
Mr. Hicks is married to Mrs. Becky Brenner Hicks, who is the band director at Lake Harbor Middle School in Mandeville, and they have two wonderful sons, Kenton and Carson.
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