(Chris Heerman’18/Media Team)

Academy’s dedicated jazz ensemble played its annual “All That Jazz” on Friday, April 21.

The group started off with a mellow “Autumn Leaves,” featuring Gaby Sterkowicz’17 on vocals, followed with “My Funny Valentine,” a piece the band played in its fall concert, yet this time highlighting Khloe Dubenion’s dulcet solo. 

The players prefaced its Awards Ceremony with an upbeat, adventurous  “Charmeleon.” Director, Jessica Sneeringer, recognized each musician as the audience grew more enthralled by the band’s performance.

Sneeringer awarded the coveted Louis Armstrong Jazz Award—given to dedicated seniors in high school jazz bands—to Kami Tibbles’ 17, who also lettered for the third time this year.

The cheerful finale featured “Watermelon Man,” with solos from juniors Lexie Hughes, Abhi Ramaswamy and Nick Robie, Ezra Johnson’ 20, Divya Narayanan’ 21, Kami Tibbles’ 17, Peter DiMaggio’ 19.  Throughout the melody, the group tapped its feet and nodded heads. Outstanding!

In the wake of the audience’s applause,  Tibbles recognized Sneeringer’s devotion to the Jazz Band and how much she cared for her students, before handing Sneeringer a boutique of flowers.