On Monday, Dec. 10, the Archie Williams Performance Workshop (PW) held a jazz showcase, organized by Archie Williams band teacher Mario Aparicio. PW students performed in the show, and afterwards, Aparicio sold merchandise to supply instruments for the students. Three separate combinations of students performed songs back-to-back.

The first set of students performed mellow covers of “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” by Joe Zawinul, “Red’s Good Groove” by Red Garland and “Chameleon” by Herbie Hancock. The members of the band included freshmen Calvin Jackman and Henry Luck on trumpets, freshman Isaac Kiptum and junior Eli Chao on the keyboard, freshman Gabe Porter on bass, and freshmen Everett Connell and Julian Silver on drums.

While performing, Calvin received raucous applause from the audience due to his impressive performance and professional breath control. His outstanding performance paired well with the talent of the rest of the band. The other band members held their own, including Eli, who kept the audience amazed by their ability to stay on beat and make it look easy on keys.

The second combination, called “Average White Band,” played several songs, starting with an original from the band called “Pick Up the Pieces.” Members of the band include junior Hanna Janson and sophomore Lilly Zucker on vocals, sophomore Gus Ziegler on piano, sophomore Jay Pikkarainen-Klein on alto saxophone, junior Emily Alonzo on trombone, freshman Xander Santucci on vibes, sophomore Zane Schuman on bass, and junior Charlie Fee on drums. 

Gus played the keys for a song he wrote and composed himself called “Ayer, Ayer,” which was innovative, especially considering his age, amazing the audience. The other musicians also captured attention, such as Hanna, who has performed in many shows before this one confidently. She engaged with the audience between performances and raptured the audience with her angelic singing alongside Lilly. Most members of Average White Band performed solos in their tracks, with a minute or two between songs to regather their breath. 

The third combination began their performance with a cover of “Criminal” by Fiona Apple,  later performing “Anthropology” by Charlie Parker, “500 Miles High” by Chick Corea, and “Mr. Magic” by Ralph Macdonald. The band consisted of senior Stella Gregor on vocals, junior Ryan Cunningham on trombone, senior Roy Quaas on alto saxophone, sophomore Alex Casey on vibraphone and drums, senior Elijah Galland on guitar, senior Noah Casey on bass, and senior Zeke Cunningham on drums.

Their songs were incredible and mesmerizing to listen to, bringing out surprises to keep the audience engaged. Stella’s vocals were angelic during her performance of “500 Miles High,” and she was applauded afterwards.

PW did a great job showcasing the bands’ abilities and youth jazz as a genre. The performers kept the audience engaged throughout the showcase, earning the event four out of five feathers.