A new fundraiser is happening this weekend at the Greene County High School auditorium.

Java and Jazz will feature the high school jazz ensemble, “Jazz 101” along with the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra. The event will be held on Saturday, starting at 3pm, with Jazz 101, followed by collaborative combos with high school students and musicians with IWJO. Attendees can also enjoy free coffee from Greene Bean Coffee. The event will wrap up with a performance at 4:30pm from IWJO. Anderson talks about how he got the idea to invite the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra to come to Jefferson.

“It’s actually kind of the brainchild of one of my wife’s classmates at UNI (University of Northern Iowa) that kind of started it all up. It’s my understanding that she’ll be there and they’ve also got 20 other women that are just a fantastic ensemble. I’ve heard them at a couple of different festivals, and clinics, and conferences, and things.”    

Anderson also believes this is a great opportunity for high school musicians to learn from professionals.

“I’m really excited for some of our kids that potentially might end up being professional jazz musicians, some of them, to get to actually meet a professional and learn straight directly from how jazz is meant to be learned, from experts. I’m stoked for that.”  

Anderson notes this is also a fundraiser for the band trip to Walt Disney World in Florida, and so they will accept free-will donations at the door, with a suggested donation of $10. Anderson thanks the Bringing Optimism and Opportunities to Teachers and Students (BOOST) of Greene County organization for sponsoring this Saturday event.