Center Hill High School boasts not only a concert and marching band, but also a jazz band. Directed by Michael Caffee, the Center Hill Jazz Band is in its second year.

According to Caffee, this isn’t the first time Center Hill has had a jazz band. There was one during the first few years of the school, but it stopped in 2012. Caffee said he offered to start it back up, and band director Jared Ross couldn’t pass it up.

“It’s more of a fun idea we had together to give more variety in music to the students,” Caffee said.

Practice is two to three times a week, 90 minutes per practice. During practice, the musicians, comprised of a group of 18 students, warm up and go over scales. After that, they cover theory, style, review classics and express themselves through improvisation.

Caffee said the atmosphere of practice is “focused, fun, respectful intensity.” This statement is enforced by the response of the students.

Holly Brandon, a senior trumpet player, said Jazz Band practice is a relaxed environment to work on music, improv and classic jazz-type music.

Justin Collins, a sophomore trumpet player, calls it “a progressive environment, so they can grow to be the best they can be.”

“It’s not an army camp, but not a day care,” sophomore trombonist Omar Gonzalez said.

Tyrese Frazier, a junior alto sax player, said he hopes to become more independent with his music and get a solo. Many students, such as Brandon and Collins, just hope to get better at their instruments and improv skills.

The Jazz Band performs at band concerts, a festival in the spring, and, Caffee said, is in the process of booking gigs around town. The group’s next performance will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 in the CHHS gym.