The Columbus Academy Jazz Band held its fall performance on Friday, November 20. Jazz Band concerts are unusual in terms of musical performances at Academy, due to the relaxed, slightly more casual vibe.

The concert certainly showed the students’ dedication to their music, with seven songs on the program and countless solos among those songs. The first piece, “Corner Pocket” by Freddie Green and Don Wolf, had a vintage sound. The next number, “After All,” by Billy Strayhorn, was a ballad, with a softer, smoother feel. “Sweet Home Chicago,” a fun and danceable piece, followed. It was fast-paced, and even the musicians playing it were moving to the music as they played.

The fourth song, “Pure Imagination,” is one that many know from the popular movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Andrew Kennedy’16 had a huge solo in the song, and it would have made Willy Wonka proud with Kennedy’s style and confidence. “Black Coffee,” made famous by Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles, was so good it was easy to imagine these artists performing the piece.

Kami Tibbles’17 was featured in “Bourbon Street Jingling Jollies,” with a jazz flute solo. It certainly lived up to the excitement that had been built around it, especially since Academy’s Jazz Band had never had a jazz flute before. The final piece “Coconut Champagne” has been played several times in years past, and it’s a fun, tropical-sounding piece that never gets boring.

Congratulations, and great job to all of the musicians involved!