This upcoming Tuesday, North’s cafeteria will be filled with the sound of saxophones and trumpets—the annual Jazz Cafe is back for its third year. 

This year’s performance will feature North’s Jazz Band, including its Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Workshop, and Advanced Jazz Improvisation, in the cafeteria, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. The middle school jazz bands from Bigelow and F. A. Day will also be performing.

Jazz classics like Sonny Rollins’ “Tenor Madness,” Freddie Hubbard’s “Straight Life” and “Little Sunflower,” Nat Adderley’s “Work Song,” as well as The Beatles’ “From Me to You” will all be performed.

Junior Clayton Song plays the tenor saxophone in North’s Jazz Band. He explained the basic structure of the group.

“Combos are the small groups of people, usually around two or three horns and a full rhythm section. The Jazz Ensemble is split into three combos, currently, and all of them should be playing,” said Song. “Jazz Workshop is for the freshmen who want to do jazz next year.”

Song stated further that the addition of middle schoolers to the concert might potentially add something new to their dynamic.

“Maybe it’ll mix things up, get different flavors,” said Song.

Music teacher Edward Harlow, the Bigelow jazz band conductor, said that his students have been rehearsing since September.

“It’s great for middle schoolers to look forward to what will happen in high school in regards to teachers that will be there, groups that will be available for them, facilities that will be available for them,” said Harlow. “It gives them a little head start.”

Fine and Performing Arts Department head Todd Young mentioned that this is the third year that the Cafe has been performed. He also expressed his pride in the jazz program’s progress.

“That Newton has highly rated jazz programs at both high schools as well as excellent opportunities at the middle schools is great—something to be proud of,” said Young.