The Warwick Academy Jazz Gala was a magical sold-out event on Saturday night! With the school hall turned into a Mardi Gras spectacular and packed to capacity, parents and friends of the school were dazzled by the jazz band, under the superb leadership of music teacher Kent Hayward.

To add an extra special treat they were joined by Mr Derrick Gardner, who has played with the likes of Harry Connick, Jr, Count Basie Band and Tony Bennett to just name a few. The fundraising event was graciously sponsored by PartnerRe and two generous anonymous sponsors which afforded the opportunity to bring in such amazing talent for the students to learn from. The Jazz Band played a 45-minute slot where they played numbers such as ‘Sway’, ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ and ‘Hey Jude’ just to name a few.

The vocalists, Isabella Zuill-Mackenzie and Francesca Dill, sang beautifully and the numbers got everyone up on to the dance floor as the audience danced the night away. Derrick Gardner then took over and was joined by local musicians Toni Bari, Stan Gilbert and Shelton Bean. What a treat that was! A fantastic learning experience for the Warwick Students to listen and learn from the very best. The Jazz Band then closed the night out with a half-hour set that the audience just wouldn’t let be over. Two standing ovations later, the swirling green and yellow lights let go to the house lights and reluctantly the evening was over! The Warwick Academy Jazz Band was made up Tyler Cameron, India Wilson, Kyra Dunstan, Theo Wolffe, Phillippe Miranthis, Tia Froud, Nicholas Hassell, William Gray, Conor Smith, Brady Cordeiro, Chanah Bremar, Lindsay Fisher, Tholath Joseph, Jermayne Dears, Alex Miranthis, Kamilya Reid and Alumnus Justin Brangman.