After months and months of practice, the PHS jazz band is prepped and primed for its annual performance at the esteemed Yoshi’s restaurant.

On May 17 the PHS jazz band will perform at Yoshi’s, a local restaurant and jazz venue, at 8:30 p.m. for their annual fundraiser. Tickets are avaliable online at Yoshis.com, priced at $20 for adults and $15 for students, jazz band director Andria Mullan said.

The jazz band has performed this fundraiser at Yoshi’s for the past five years and the money that it has brings in has gone towards the PUSD music program. This tradition began when Mullan noticed that Monday nights at Yoshi’s were usually reserved for community organizations.

“It’s a really wonderful thing that Yoshi’s does for the community because they really are a prestigious jazz venue,” Mullan said.

The jazz band is made up of a small group of students who focus on the composition, history and playing of jazz music. Those in the jazz band auditioned for their spot and most students have been playing for more than four years.

“Music and jazz open up opportunities, not only to learn, but to understand how the whole setup of jazz music comes together with the different instruments,” said alto saxophone player sophomore Taylor Beasley.

Every year, the jazz band travels with the symphonic band to compete at the WorldStrides Heritage Festival, and this year they are traveling to Hollywood. The festivals consists of high school level jazz bands playing sets that are evaluated by judges, Beasley said.

Leading up to the Heritage Festival, the jazz band focused on refining and practicing their pieces, which included music by Nat Adderley. Freshman Enzo Malispina, who plays the guitar, said he practices seven to nine hours per week in preparation for events like Yoshi’s and tour.