(BIVN) – The Honokaʻa Jazz Band is hoping for a Na Hoku Hanohano Award nomination for its 18th CD entitled Playin’ In Traffic. It would be the firts Na Hoku nomination for a high school band, supporters say.

According to Honokaʻa Jazz Band supporters:

Founded in 1978 by Mr. Gary Washburn, the Jazz Band started at Honoka’a High School on the Big Island of Hawaii. Since its original size of about 13 students, the Jazz Band has since grown to about 32 students. Members rotate in and out of the Jazz Band as students enter and graduate high school, leaving each year a slightly new band to carry on the longstanding tradition of excellence. Winning a Grammy Award in 2011, and thus becoming a Grammy Signature School, the Honoka’a Jazz Band continues to maintain high standards and expect much from each round of new (and old) band members.

Before a windy evening performance at the Kings Shops in Waikoloa on December 9, Washburn and band members Stephanie Onza and Francis Altura talked about their experiences performing in the band. Band supporters recorded video of the pereformance, and shared these upcoming dates:

• January 18- Dinner Concert at the Cafeteria in Honoka’a- 6:00PM
• January 25- Concert with Johnny Nicolas at the People’s Theater in Honoka’a
• January 26- Concert with Johnny Nicolas at the Palace Theater in Hilo Town
• January 27- Gertrudes in Kona with Johnny Nicolas
• April – Annual concert Tour of Oahu with performance on Molokai
• June 1- Big Island Jazz Festival at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel 5:00

Playin’ In Traffic can be purchased at the Music Exchange in Hilo and Kona, Gallery of Great Things and Waimea General Store in Kamuela and Chuck James Music Studio in Honolulu.