Frank Wright Middle School’s assembly room was filled to capacity with finger snapping, toe tapping community members in the nineteenth Afternoon of Jazz concert event here on Sunday. Jimmie Cannon’s Valley Jazz started the festivities as well as featured Cannon’s son – Derek, as the special musical guest.
Derek told that this really brings back a lot of fond memories. It is great to see old friends and it is just another way to keep his father’s memory alive.
Along with Valley Jazz, the musical talents of different high school jazz bands in Imperial Valley were also on the display for dozens of attendees. Derek told that this is really great to see the community so supportive of the students and music education.
The event also recognized 6 student musicians from the different high schools with Danny Valladolid Memorial Scholarship that was made in memory of Valladolid, the man who passed away in the year 1993 from leukemia and he was one of the original members of the Valley Jazz when it started in the year 1988, told Renee Baker, who is one of the founding members of the group.
Baker told that the students are recommended by their directors and awarded the scholarship as a way to serve them further their music education. One of this year’s recipients wants to go to jazz camp, so he would be able to use the money for that.
Braden Rollins was one of the 6 students honored and he told that he has worked really hard this year. He has been practicing a lot and taking lessons and he thinks his director saw that.