Torrance (March 22, 2012): On the weekend of March 17, twenty-four members of the Bishop Montgomery Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz Ensemble competed in the 26th Annual Santa Cruz Jazz Festival at Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA (just outside Santa Cruz).
Along with 110 ensembles from schools from around the state, BMHS students performed for a judging panel in front of a live audience, followed by a master class by one of the judges. BMHS students also had the opportunity to hear the vocal jazz group Audio Radiance and the legendary saxophonist Ernie Watts in concert, participate in other clinics and master classes, and listen to the many tremendous high school jazz groups.
The inspirational weekend culminated with a combined performance with the Junipero Serra High School Jazz Combo on Saturday night, and a Mass and tour of the Old Mission San Juan Bautista on Sunday morning. "We all enjoyed ourselves, learned a lot, and are inspired to do even better at what we love," exclaimed BMHS Band Director Eric Hankey.