It was a jazz explosion at the Southwest Campus as Pre-K through 5th grade students presented their own interpretation of famous jazz musicians and their music.
And to get a taste of the real thing, Southwest imported the Westbury High School jazz band and the Edgar Band who entertained students in the pavilion. Included in the Westbury band were former Varnett students Cameron Butler on tenor sax and William Johnson on keyboards.
The cafeteria was packed with students, staff and parents and individual Varnett grades paid tribute to Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole and Etta James. The student performances included a jazz instrumental swing dance, a jazz poem, African Tribal Dance and a special tribute to Armstrong with the classic, “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In.”
It was all part of an extended celebration of African American jazz during Black History Month. The hundreds of students showed support for each other with applause and appreciation. The Edgar Band, which specializes in Latin jazz, entertained second through fifth grade students during lunch at the pavilion.
Overall, the students and band members put on a great show and credit goes to staff for preparing the students for an entertaining show.