What happens when high school students have too
much free time? Some teenagers will find ways
to get in trouble; others will find ways to create
something exciting. For seven students at Lemon
Bay High School, that was exactly what they did.
Decked out in Hawaiian shirts and khaki shorts,
the group dubbed Lucky 7 whipped out big band
tunes well beyond their years. At the Blue Lagoon
in Englewood, the audience lit up as the sounds of
In the Mood and Go Daddy-O ripped through the
cool evening air.
The students range from freshmen to seniors in
high school. The band started in November, as a
way to raise funds for a school band trip to the
Rocky Mountain Music Festival in Tennessee and
now it’s a lot bigger than anyone imagined.
Starting off with a few songs from their school
jazz band, they purchased the rest of their charts
independently. The group brings in anywhere
from $50-100 per member at each gig, sometimes
totaling close to $1,000. Some of the money goes
to purchasing new music, some goes to college
funds, but the band is more captivated by music
than money.
“We love spreading jazz culture." said William
Rossi, on trumpet.
And spread the culture, they do! They play songs
on both sides of the jazz spectrum, from upbeat
Peter Gun to soft and slow Moonlight Serenade.
Their songs are recognizable and get the crowd
dancing and singing along. For parents of the band
members, jazz is a new experience and wonderful.
THE SAND DOLLAR | 8