BY SARAH MASON
NNB Reporter
DOWNTOWN — Friends, family, and teachers came together Saturday night at the Museum of Fine Arts to show support for the Lakewood High School Jazz Ensemble and the 54th Ave South Jazz Combo’s Black and Gold Benefit Concert.
Special guests John Brown, Belinda Womack, and Butch Thomas also performed with the students as well as rub some of their knowledge and talents off on them.
The concert was created to fund the ensemble’s trip to New Orleans in March for the Crescent City Music Festival, a national music competition. This event benefits the students by introducing them to other musicians and helping them improve their chops.
Lakewood High School Jazz Band director Michael Kernodle said the students will also get the chance to go to Loyola University in Chicago.
“They will do a master class and meet with musicians,” Kernodle said.
This would be the second year they get to attend this event.
“Last time we went, it changed their whole lives,” Kernodle added.
David Deister, a Lakewood High School senior, plays lead trombone in the ensemble and can’t wait to get to New Orleans.
“I’ve heard we will tour schools and maybe I’ll get to audition,” Deister said.
After he graduates, Deister plans to join the Army. He hopes to keep playing music, by auditioning for the Army band.
But even though the money was an important factor, it wasn’t the main goal of the event, according to Kernodle.
“The biggest thing is exposure to the community and to let them know what we are doing,” he said.
In order to make the trip more affordable, Kernodle hopes to raise around $13-$15,000 by March. Tickets for the performance were $20. There was also a silent auction, which raised $950.
The event kicked off with a New Orleans style entrance. Kernodle lead the ensemble playing the trumpet while the band followed behind him passing out beaded necklaces as they performed.
Everyone appeared to enjoy the event dancing in their seats as the jazz rhythms filled the room. The students on stage were having fun and playing with enthusiasm.
“[I] thought they were amazing,” said Kristie Dowling, an English teacher at Lakewood High School. “I’m really proud of them.”