Crowd gathers for Jazz in the Park

Homewood Middle School’s jazz band joined in on this year's Jazz in the Park.

The eighth-grade jazz band served as the opening act for David Jones, a soul jazz performer from the Gulf Coast, at the free event on Sunday, April 10.

Jones began singing and playing trumpet at 12 years old in his hometown of Fairfield. He went on to student education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and started teaching and coaching, in addition to performing, in 1986. 

The eighth-grade jazz band has practiced under the direction of John Bradley, a part-time band coach and retired band director. Band director Chris Cooper said the students are excited to show off what they have learned from Bradley.

“The eighth-grade jazz band has really excelled under his leadership,” Cooper said. “I’m thrilled our students have been asked to play for this wonderful event in Homewood.”