The crowd enjoyed several selections by the St. Ignace Jazz Band. Performers pictured here are (front row, from left) drummers MacKenzie Postma and Autum Orm, saxophone players Molly Paquin, Wyatt Orm, Haillee Brown; (back row) guitarists Ben Paul, Steve Sjogren, Eric Lenoir: (farther back) Joe Snowaert on trumpet. An evening of music in a jazz club atmosphere provided a treat for an audience of some 400 people when musicians, singers, drummers, and dancers took the stage to offer “An Evening of Jazz, Pop, and Steel” Saturday, March 13, in St. Ignace. The dinner concert was hosted by musicians from St. Ignace schools, with special guest performers from Harbor Springs schools, at Kewadin Casino.

Dining tables festively decorated by dozens of local businesses and organizations helped set the scene for an elegant evening of entertainment. Performers included the Children's Choir, first in the concert line-up with favorite vocal selections including “Pennies From Heaven,” the St. Ignace student dance troupe, and two groups of high school music appreciation classes, or “MAC Percussion,” crafting their own rhythms on barrels, buckets, and jugs.

Mike Rowe of television's “Dirty Jobs” donated his work boots and T-shirt from last year's Mackinac Bridge episode, as well as some signed CDs, to the St. Ignace band program, a gift appreciated with a collective kiss from band students (from left) Morgan Postma, Sarah Cullip, and Carrie Lane. The collection was raffled as a fundraiser and won by the Ted and Jodi Orm family of St. Ignace. The Harbor Springs Jazz Band played several numbers, featuring soloists Matt Davison and Wil Dart. The line-up of musical selections included “Birdland,” “Pump It,” and “Zoot Suit Riot.” The band's director is Patrick Ruddy.

The St. Ignace Jazz Band took the stage, offering pieces including the Latin hit “Sway,” “Frimmin on the Jim Jam,” and “In the Doghouse.” Soloists were Molly Paquin, Grant Simmons, Marina Brown, Haillee Brown, Morgan Postma, Wyatt Orm, Corey Nelson, Jeff Misner, Joe Snowaert, Steve Sjogren, and Steve Misner.

Jazz Lab, a group of musicians made up of St. Ignace students and adult community members, offered several pieces, including “Kansas City” and “Autumn Leaves.” This group, like the others showcased that evening, rehearses in the early morning hours before school and on weekends.

Steel drum groups were also featured, including Squirts of Steel, an adult group called Tempered Steel, and the Saints of Steel band. All are offered by the music department at the St. Ignace school. The Saints of Steel concluded the evening with selections including “Fresh Start” and “Walking on the Sun.” Wyatt Orm was a soloist on saxophone.

The jazz night concert raised about $7,500 in profits to benefit the band department through ticket sales, table sponsorships, and drawings. Band Director Jason Byma, who organizes the evening, said proceeds will be used for new band uniforms and to establish several computerized music lab stations where student musicians will be able to compose their own works in the band room at the high school.

The dance troupe performs under the direction of Rachel Byma and the children's choirs are directed by Stephanie Terpening.

A highlight of the raffle drawings was a pair of boots and a Tshirt donated by Mike Rowe of television's “Dirty Jobs,” who wore the clothing while filming an episode on the Mackinac Bridge last year, as well as Mr. Rowe's autographed St. Ignace band CDs; the collection was won by the Ted and Jodi Orm family of St. Ignace. Matt Mortensen of St. Ignace won the 50/50 raffle.

Awards were given for various table sponsors. The Most Creative award went to McDonald's Restaurant. The Best Deal Offered award went to B.C. Pizza of St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. The Most Elegant table was decorated by Mackinac Environmental Technology. The St. Ignace Saints football program won in the Most Humorous category for its depiction of a tailgate party.