By Dean Jacobsen

Special to the Islands’ Weekly

On Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2:30 p.m. the Garfield High School Jazz Ensemble with Director Clarence Acox, returns to Woodmen Hall for their fourth annual performance.

This appearance is to raise money in support of my wife Carolyn’s and my effort to enhance elementary, middle and high school music.

On it’s past European tours the band has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland, Jazz a Vienne, France, The North Sea Jazz Festival, Netherlands, festivals in Italy and more.

For two of Garfield’s past three visits to Lopez, we heard the bands that took first place in Wynton Marsalis’ Essentially Ellington competition at the Lincoln Center in New York. 2008 (1st) 2009 (2nd), 2010 (1st).

Acox believes that music is an essential life experience for all students. He has been to Lopez School for clinics, bringing the regions top professionals. You can see and listen to his past activities here at www.livemusiconlopez.com.

Many exciting things are happening with music this school year. Instruments will be gifted by the Foundation to each fourth grade student on Oct. 17.

An Aide is being provided by the Foundation to assist Ann Marie Fischer and Lisa Geddes with their enthusiastic students. Lessons and guidance to individual students will be provided.