MADISON – The joint will be jumpin’ when Madison Senior Center hosts their Jazz Brunch with big-band tunes wailing by jazz bands from Discovery Middle School and Bob Jones High School.

The family-friendly event will run from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the center, 1282 Hughes Road and will offer food and fun that all ages will enjoy, Madison Senior Center Director Vickie Parker said.

Jack Lyons, a band parent and Bob Jones Band Booster President, approached Parker in 2018 about having a brunch. “Our center has always partnered with the city schools,” Parker said. “I saw this as an excellent way to partner with them. The wonderful music and great food will be enjoyed by all.”

“The jazz band’s music lends itself to an older audience, and maybe we could raise a little money for the senior center. The center (was) a perfect fit for the performance. We raised $455 last year,” Lyons said.

“The band parents go all out to prepare an amazing array of brunch foods. We’ll have everything from biscuits and chocolate gravy to an assortment of flavored coffees,” Parker said.

School groups “ask a lot from our community. Local businesses sponsor us and host spirit nights. Citizens buy at our fundraisers. We were just looking for an opportunity to give back while showcasing our amazing student musicians,” Lyons said.

Breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Discovery musicians will play from 9 to 9:30 a.m. The Bob Jones instrumentalists will perform from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Jenney Merritt is Discovery’s band director.

Leigh Thomas is Director of Bands at Bob Jones. Jazz band members are Nicolas Browning, Eric Hurley, Anna Samudio, Ripley Truesdail, Satyo Wasistho and Ethan Zecher, alto sax; David Hudson, Adrian Martinez, Liam McDowell, tenor sax; Jacob Johnston, baritone sax; William Davenport, Emily Geary, Henry Nguyen, Bennett Rigby and Michael Todd, trumpet; Candace Lyons, Chase Smith, Walker White and Stephen Yerby, trombone; Graham Jones, Caleb Moyers, bass guitar; Josie Lyons, drums; and Rachel White, piano.

Admission is $5 at the door (cash preferred). All event proceeds will benefit activities at Madison Senior Center. “We are very grateful for their tremendous donation to our center last year,” Parker said. “We purchased a portable sound system for our line dancers.”

For more information, call 256-830-1576 or email bjhs+president@gmail.com.