Lakewood wins jazz festival in Oregon

LAKEWOOD – The Lakewood High School Jazz Band won the largest division at the 44th Annual Pleasant Hill Jazz Festival International last weekend in Springfield, OR.

The LHS Jazz Band, called “11th Avenue,” also brought home two festival solo awards. In the instrumental division, a Solo Award went to pianist Alex Williams. In the vocal division, a Solo Award went to Julia Williams.

“These kids have worked so incredibly hard for this and truly earned this trophy,” music director Katy Trapp said.

Trapp added that the 3-year-old jazz band was the youngest of the 10 programs by over a decade. Members are: trumpets – Warren Burroughs, Parker Callan, Liam Cross, Tyler Rahberger; trombone – Stella Reitz; baritone sax – Isaiah Hogue; alto sax – Chase Argetsinger, Maggie Dewitt, Kimmy Epperson, Riley Krueger, Jayden Petzoldt; tenor sax – Joseph D’Ambrosia, Anthony Laguas-Vasquez; guitar – Thomas Winder; vibes – Sam Alexander; bass – Daniel Henshaw; percussion – Kael Bartness; and Williams on piano.

Alex Williams and Julia Williams.

Alex Williams and Julia Williams.