Part of the group which won gold and silver awards at the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival in Marlborough last week were (from left) Wakatipu High School jazz band's compere and musician Bruno Shirley (18), drummer Belinda Woodward (18) and saxophonist Russell Stirling (18). Photo by James Beech.
The seven-strong combo band earned one of eight gold awards presented at the gala performance, while the 19-strong big band won silver for its performance of six standards.
The big band also brought home the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band award for most promising band.
Pupil Bruno Shirley, as the bands' compere, won the Massey University Conservatorium of Music Award for most outstanding musician on a non-traditional jazz instrument - his voice.
The annual festival is open to all South Island secondary schools.
