Like America’s other great pastime, the jazz world relies on a farm system of sorts. Young musicians, with an interest, desire and ability to carry on the traditions that began in the Afro-American communities of the South around the turn of the last century, form the basis for the future of jazz music.

Those traditions are alive and well at Napa’s two public high schools. Both Napa and Vintage Highs have well-developed jazz big bands and two capable and devoted leaders in Harry Cadelago and Bill Gantt.

In a small inner office off the band room, Cadelago sits at a busy-looking desk beneath a wall of photos, awards and memorabilia.

Cadelago is contemplating retirement next year after more than 36 years with the Napa Valley Unified School District.

Gantt, who also heads a big band under the auspices of Napa Valley College, has begun his third decade with the NVUSD.

Both have seen their jazz programs blossom from the humble beginnings of an after-hours, no-credit endeavor to a respected part of the high school music curriculum.

Cadelago began in 1972 providing beginning instruction for five elementary schools worth of budding young instrumentalists, and in 1993 when he took the reins at Napa High from retiring Bill Crane, Cadelago said, “One of my goals was to start a jazz program.”

At first, the concept of a jazz band didn’t fit into the daily schedule, so the group met on Monday nights with Cadelago volunteering his time, actually a labor of love.

“Then it became a part of the school day,” he points out. “The students get credit for it and they must audition to get into the class.”

Gantt, a professional trumpet player and jazz enthusiast since his own high school days, noted a slow and small start as well. “As I developed the instrumentation, it got bigger and bigger,” he said, noting today’s full-strength band with four saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones and a rhythm section of piano, bass, drums and guitar.

The bands are made up mostly of juniors and seniors with an occasional sophomore.

The Vintage High band also evolved into the realm of credit courses, but Gantt relies on his knowledge of the young players to recruit them for the jazz band. “I know the kids’ proficiency levels. I kind of hand-pick them,” he said, “but I like to take a lesser player and help develop him too.”

Both bands are available for events in the community. “We have a gig book,” said Cadelago, “We have about two hours of music for dances, parties or weddings.”

The Napa band has built up a cash balance of some $2,000 from its outside gigs, and much of that will go toward new arrangements and other musical needs. The musicians also enjoy a good time, so they plan a party in January.

If you’re interested in hiring one of the jazz ensembles for an event, it will cost $300 to $500, and you can call the band office for information.

When the Napa High jazz band ventures off campus, however, one its favorite destinations in Reno, Nevada. That’s the site of an annual competition for young jazz ensembles.  It’s a real learning experience, and Cadelago said the band’s first time there was a bit intimidating. “We didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “They put the Napa high band in a big room full of jazz enthusiasts.”

But he treated it as the educational endeavor it ultimately is. “The level of talent there is phenomenal,” he said. “You go to learn.”

And Cadelago believes his players are succeeding. A big trip for the band took them to the East Coast where the jazz meccas of New York and Boston were on the itinerary. A stop at the famed Berklee School of Music was a highlight. Berklee has spawned players in the Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman and other bands that played the circuit for years.

Gantt took his band to Reno in the early years of his tenure, but the pressures of today’s education scene and the demands on students’ time have put an end to that for now. He says the concept of No Child Left Behind has caused programs like his to suffer. “It gets challenging,” he said. “I try to stress to parents the importance of music, but education is a little goofy right now.”

The students like the old tunes, said Cadelago,  but they also like funk and arrangements with a bit of a contemporary beat. “They seem to come back to the standards,” Cadelago points out. “They’ve become very sophisticated.”

A Scott Stanton chart of “Adrenaline Attack” that appeared on a recent program is one of the favorites. But also on the November concert program was a Buddy Rich band standard, “Groovin’ Hard” and Horace Silver jazz evergreen, “Sister Sadie.” There was even a tune from the Sinatra songbook, “Come Fly With Me,” with Napa high student Rosa Page doing the vocals.

Cadelago aims to augment the library with some of the arrangements of the masters like Count Basie, and “One of our goals is to try to get some Ellington charts.”

Gantt agrees the students enjoy the swing music, but adds they like the funk and rock rhythms as well. “They get a little intimidated when they have to improvise,” he said, but the addition of listening and watching videos of the great bands helps to frame the art and craft of jazz for them.

As Cadelago winds down and looks forward to retirement, he says, “I conduct now more than ever,” he said. “I’m always waving my arms.”

Not only does he have his jazz band, the concert band, chamber strings and full orchestra, but oversees a drum line and the school’s marching band as well. When those duties subside, Cadelago would like to get back to some professional casual work. He plays accordion and is a first-rate tuba player.

“We’re proud of what we offer,” he said, but there could be more. If there’s anything lacking from the current curriculum, Cadelago would like to see the addition of a theory class for some of the more advanced musicians who will go on to further studies.

Gantt also looks ahead to the day when all the bands, Napa, Vintage, NV College and even the middle schools can participate in a local festival. He helped organize, along with local entrepreneur Rich Gambatese, the Napa Valley Jazz festival in the 1990s.

Watch the Register’s calendar for upcoming activities for all the bands. The Napa High aggregation plans a dinner-dance in March, and Vintage has a February concert planned

Young players appreciate the legacy of the past and they know the players. “We’re in good hands,” Cadelago said, when it comes to the future of jazz.

Upcoming performance

The Napa High Jazz Band will be performing at the annual Spring Swing Dinner Dance, Saturday, March 5, 5:30-10:30 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church Hall.

This is the major fundraiser for the instrumental music department, which includes the Jazz Band, Orchestra and the Napa High School Marching Band.

Tickets are $50 per person and include an optional dance lesson, dinner, dessert, coffee and dancing. There’s a no host sparkling wine, beer and wine bar, raffle, live and silent auction.

There are 170 tickets available — they sold out last year. To purchase tickets or to make a donation to auction, contact Mrs. Setervang at the NHS Music Department, 253-3705