As the curtains opened up and revealed a menagerie of shining instruments, the show began. On March 7, LM hosted its annual Jazz Fest, a celebration of music and performance at an especially high level. As judges watched on, schools from around the county and beyond played in the auditorium, flexing months of preparation and rehearsal. Band members took turns stealing the stage, ripping a smooth saxophone solo or belting out an especially passionate verse.
Participating highschools included Neshaminy, Pheonixville, Radnor, Upper Merion, Methacton, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Camden Creative Arts, and of course, LM. Rather than a direct competition with a first, second, or third place, the Jazz Fest is meant to be an opportunity for students to show their commitment and passion for music while receiving expert feedback. The judges assign each band a rating that reflects their performance based on a multitude of variables: tone, rhythm, precision, intonation, and improvisation, to name a few. They could be seen meticulously listening and commenting on each band’s performance, providing constructive feedback and praises. The judges themselves were extremely qualified, featuring current recording jazz artists and music professors who have received an absurd amount of awards for their body of work.
Dr. Johnson came out to introduce each and every band between performances, detailing their set lists and featured soloists. Songs from the schools included familiar favorites like the Spider-Man theme song, and lesser-known gems, like “Tiptoe” by Thad Jones. Several clubs, like the LM Jazz Combo and LM Acapella, came out to perform their own music while other bands behind the curtains prepared. Key of She, an LM organization dedicated to empowering women in jazz, delivered an especially excellent performance, lifted by Gabby Andrade ’26 on the saxophone.
Several middle schools also participated in the competition, including Bala Cynwyd, Welsh Valley, and Black Rock, showcasing the young talent that is sure to be seen in the LM jazz scene for years to come. As the bands played on, a certain school stole the spotlight: Camden Creative Arts. Featuring an all-Black and Hispanic band, they performed especially complex songs that featured incredible solos, tight drums, and energetic rapping.
As the night drew to a close, LM was the only school left to perform. The band performed three songs in total: “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” arranged by Frank Mantooth, followed by “Tiptoe,” and “On the Edge” by Steve Wiest. Highlights of the performance included Andrade on the saxophone, Sam Fenning ’25 on the trumpet, Sam Lockman ’26 on the bass, and Henry Koban Payne ’25 on the trombone. Thomas Gordon ’27 and Sawyer Friedman-Olshan ’26 impressed on the guitar, with an especially fiery solo by Friedman-Olshan on “On the Edge.”
Friedman-Olshan explained that one of his favorite parts of the experience was “getting to see the middle school bands play, seeing how amazing these kids are while they’re so young—it’s cool to see” along with getting to watch Camden Creative Arts perform. Alistair Browning ’26, who is the LM Jazz’s pianist, commented that, in preparation for the event, “we assigned one or two people from the band to each school to show them to the practice room, take care of equipment, etc. We also had a bunch of parent volunteers.” These volunteers could be seen working the ticket stand, concessions, and other essential components of the event. Browning also said his favorite part of the Jazz Fest is “hearing the diversity of all these different bands with different styles, different directors, different soloists, different songs, etc. It’s always fun.”
Each member’s passion and affinity for jazz was on display that Friday night, showcasing LM’s fierce commitment to excellence in the arts. The performance served as a reminder that LM’s Jazz Band and other musical groups are integral to its culture, and that the bands will continue to impress for the rest of the year at upcoming events and performances. Next up is the Creative Arts Jazz Fest in Camden on April 3.
