Rainy Rangers: Jazz festival at Cuesta college canceled, Jazz members react

Redwoods Jazz band had a festival at Cuesta college, but with the weather it was cancelled due to rain.

Student Devin Calderon ‘23 is apart of the Jazz band.

When Calderon was asked how he felt about the festival being cancelled he says “Extremely disappointed, but almost expecting it/used to it because it has been cancelled every single year I’ve been at Redwood High School for various reasons involving Covid and weather.”

Devin Calderon ’23 courtesy of Devin Calderon

He says “I am very disappointed that our practice time won’t be shown because we have been practicing since late December which means we’ve been practicing since last semester.”

Jacob Abbott ’24 is also a student at Redwood that is apart of Jazz band.

Jacob Abbott ’24 courtesy of Jacob Abbott ’24

Abbott says “I was looking forward to getting Woodstocks Pizza, but I mean the festival was also gonna be pretty exciting.”

When asked if it was going to be Abbott’s first time performing in the festival he says “It would’ve been all of our first times performing at Cuesta College because it’s gotten canceled literally every year.”

Calderon says “I was mostly looking forward to performing our songs for the judges and getting scored especially since the jazz band is super good. Our soloists are amazing too and I am one of the soloists.”

Redwood Jazz band member Jaden Bullock ‘23 also reacts to the festival being cancelled.

Jaden Bullock ’23 courtesy of Jaden Bullock ’23

Bullock says “To put it simply, I am very upset that the festival was cancelled.”

When Bullock was asked if he was disappointed that the bands practice wouldn’t be shown and he says “We are all very upset that we will not get to showcase these hours spent to the judges and spectators.”

To that question, Abbott says “For the past month we’ve been practicing extra hard, perfecting the music that we once thought would be nearly impossible to play (there’s some extremely high notes in one song). I’m disappointed that I can’t perform, but if I’m being honest I don’t feel the need for others’ validation based off of our music. I know that we would’ve played it to the best or our ability, and that’s what matters.”

Calderon says “They say that there is a chance of rescheduling but I doubt it will happen, that also would’ve been our last festival.”

Bullock says “To add we all our still very appreciative of the work Mr. Ray put in and the lessons he has taught us.”

Emmanuel Rodriguez ’26 is a first year Jazz band member.

Rodriguez was asked how he feels about the festival being cancelled and he says “I am mad about it… because some of the seniors couldn’t go it was going to be one of their first times going…and it got cancelled.”