Album Share: Bellport High School Jazz-Rock Ensemble, Volume One
We first hosted three albums by this excellent group of high school musicians about two-and-a-half years ago on our old site to celebrate electricity being restored to the Orphanage after damages done by hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. We’ve had a couple of requests for a repost, so we decided to move them into the new diggs and give them another moment in the spotlight.
From the cover photo, the group looks like your standard high school jazz ensemble made up of saxes, trumpets, trombones, and rhythm section. However, under the direction of conductor / arranger Robert Fehring, the performances this group of students produce are anything but typical. The kids go all out playing Mr. Fehring’s tight and faithful-to-the-original arrangements, and are clearly having the time of their lives doing it. 
Personally, the Pastor is especially fond of the strong playing of Sue Indilla who wails on the bari sax. Mr. Fehring also sings and takes a couple of trumpet solos on a few numbers.
There is no date on the album, but judging from the tunes, I’d date it as recorded in the early seventies. Sadly, the vinyl is in a sorry state, so be warned that there is quite a bit of surface noise and a couple of nasty skips on a few tracks. Fortunately for us, the attitude and musicianship of the performers outshines these sonic imperfections. I’ve also encoded the files at a higher bit rate, so here is your chance to upgrade if you downloaded them the first time around.
We’ll be sharing the other two albums over the next two days so be sure to come back for more from the Bellport High School Jazz-Rock Ensemble. Have fun listening and as always, Enjoy!
Download all the mp3s and cover art in one 62 MB zip file.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:13 am
This was such a surprise to find! This album was recorded in 1971. My brother Ted Travis was on trombone and vocals, and many of the band members were in my class, making them freshman at the time. I’m on flute on the second and third album you have here. I can’t wait to show Ted!
January 8th, 2009 at 8:21 am
I played tenor sax on this first album and also wrote the title tune for the second album, “Life Is For Living”. I would love to be able to communicate with the other members of the band, havn’t seen or talked to them for well over 30 – 35 years. PLEASE , Ted Travis if you are out there respond to this,I have been trying to find you for a long time!
Anyone who see’s this please respond with any info. Thanks, much appreciated!
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Anthony, if you Google Ted Travis in Denver, you can get his contact information. You’ll see a recent picture of him, too.
June 4th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Thanks so much!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I was able to find him and sent an email but have had no response….maybe the email address is invalid? The phone number that was part of the site did not go through…..
September 21st, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Incredible! Yes, the year was 1971. It was my first year of teaching at Bellport High School. I think I have the album tucked away somewhere!
November 18th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Hi Joie – how are you? You are so talented! Anthony, I remember you, man. You graduated the year we finished this one right? I was playing with Barry and Pete at the time and was also on this record. Didn’t you play piano?
I talked with Bob Fehring in 1984 and again about 10 years ago but have lost touch. He really gave us a great start by dragging us beginners into the studio for these records.
Thanks to the Rescue Mission for posting these files. Anthony, Joie, and other Jazz-rockers, my email is ruegerNN@att.net BUT in place of the NN put in the number of keys on a typical piano.
Cheers, Glenn
November 18th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Oops! I was wrong. I wasn’t on that first Jazz-Rock album. That mistake doesn’t surprise me though; We once played at another high school on Long Island and when we got there found that I’d forgotten my Fender Rhodes piano. Not so much has changed.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
I am hoping top contact Ted Travis as well. I have been researching Bellport High School for some time – especially environmental activity of SEQ with Art Cooley. If anyone knows where I can reach Mr. Travis, I would be greatly\ appreciative. Thank you!
February 27th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Hi Neil,
His email is tedtravis@comcast.net. He lives in Denver.