On March 27, the Junction City High’s Jazz band performed at the Settles Auditorium. In attendance was the Fort Riley Middle Jazz band, who also performed along with the Junction City High jazz lab band. Professional trumpet player Dr. Nicholas Schroeder played solos in each of the performing group’s songs. He is the director of Jazz Studies at Hutchinson Community College. The performance was a real treat to those who enjoy jazz.

The Louis Armstrong award was awarded to senior Joshua Cook. The award is voted on by the jazz band class, and applauds one senior student who shows exemplary musicianship and interest in music. There are three seniors in jazz band, Joshua Cook on tenor sax, Mason Perez on guitar, and Elena Butler on piano. These three seniors were applauded for their hard work in the jazz band.

This jazz band concert will be followed with their last performance, May 10. This was also the first time that jazz lab band could perform their musical numbers as they had more students enrolled this year to hold a concert. The jazz band has performed at multiple elementary schools, went to the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival and received a one rating, and are overall a hard-working group of individuals. Their hard work, along with the excellent leadership of Mr. Taylor, will be leaving with a good note.