Last month, Viewpoint students Jasper Hughes ’27 and Jishnu Mukherjee ’26 performed with a prestigious 16-piece band assembled by Jazz America at the 29th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival, one of Los Angeles’ most celebrated jazz events.

Held at the intersection of Central Avenue and 43rd Street, the festival honors the city’s rich jazz heritage. Jasper, on drums, and Jishnu, playing saxophone and flute, were selected from a talented pool of young musicians from across Los Angeles to be part of the ensemble.

“It’s a big event that gets you in front of a lot of people, and we got to play with some of the best musicians in our age group,” shared Hughes, who performed at the festival for the first time. “Coming together for this was a lot of fun.”

“It was great to return to the festival this year,” said Mukherjee, who performed for the second time. “The band was bigger, and the energy of the festival was even more lively. Having Jasper there made the rehearsals and performance even more fun.”

The band played classic jazz pieces, including “Blues Walk,” featuring a solo by Jishnu on saxophone, and “Manteca,” where Jasper showcased his skills with a drum solo. They also performed “Moten Swing,” a full-length tune that brought together the talents of all the musicians.

"Playing in a big band is so different from a small ensemble," said Hughes. "There’s a lot of power behind the music, and it was an amazing experience getting to read charts and catch figures with the band. It felt like everything came together perfectly."

“Our tunes were chosen based on historical jazz figures from Los Angeles, which added so much to the experience,” Mukherjee said. “Our band leader would point to a street sign and say, ‘This is where it happened.’ Playing on a corner that once had a famous jazz bar gave the performance extra meaning.”

Reflecting on their journey to the festival, both students acknowledged the support they've received from Viewpoint’s music department, emphasizing how the guidance from their teachers has been instrumental in their growth.

“If I ever needed help with something or a space to rehearse, they were always open to it,” Mukherjee shared. “Having that support has kept me interested and motivated.”

“They’ve helped us stay engaged and pushed us to keep improving. Even though Jazz America is outside of school, their encouragement has made a big difference,” echoed Hughes.

Congratulations to Jasper Hughes ’27 and Jishnu Mukherjee ’26 on this incredible achievement! We look forward to witnessing their continued success as they proudly represent Viewpoint in future performances.