Blast from the Past – Redwood’s Jazz band has first gig since February 2020

By Genesis Chavez

On Saturday January 22nd, Redwoods Jazz Band makes their first appearance this year. The Redwood Jazz Band was asked to preform at the Rotary Club of Visalia. After nearly two years of being gone because of Covid, having no performances in or out of school this is their first public appearance.

Evan Judson ’22 is a trumpet player for the Jazz band and shares how he feels to be part of this experience. Judson says “It’s pretty awesome that they asked us to preform for them . . . Preforming there acts as a way to spread the love of what we do when we preform and as a fundraiser opportunity for future trips”.

Pianist Devin Calderon ’23, adds how he feels to be part of the Jazz Band and be able to preform once again; “It feels refreshing almost…To be asked to have our Jazz band preform, because we haven’t been asked to play at a gig since 2020 because of Covid”.

Calderon adds; “The whole Jazz Band is definitely looking forward to getting more gigs because its part of the experience”.

Gavin Stoll ’25, another trumpet player says; “It’s a great feeling to preform because everyone puts lots of effort into it”.

Judson also goes into how this shouldn’t be the Jazz Bands first gig, saying that; “It will be the first this year because others were cancelled for one reason or another”.

Both Judson and Calderon go on to add there are more groups around preforming. Judson says “We also have smaller groups that have gone around town to perform”.

Calderon along with his group members The Vics, featuring Gavin Stoll ’25, Grant Francone ’23, and Jaden Bullock ’23 are some of the members of the Redwood Jazz Band who do so.

Calderon adds, “Our Jazz Band has done gigs with the rotary club before and we’re pretty much regulars with them. Redwood Jazz band has always been known in Visalia as the community band because we’re usually the best high school Jazz Band in Visalia”.

For the Jazz Band this opportunity to preform could be a good kick start future opportunities this new year .Judson adds, “Lots of people go to these events and if they like what they hear and want to help out the High School band then its a great way for them to get a hold of us”.

Stoll responds to what this upcoming performance could mean for the future of the Jazz band; “I believe that if we can preform and put up a great effort we will build an even better connection with the Rotary Club and that will result in us getting more with them. I know the band along with myself are always looking forward to show people how much we have worked and the music we are able to create”.

Tags: jazz, jazzband, local artist, music, redwood high school