Sunday, March 29th at 3:30PM at the Paramount Theater
Albemarle High School (AHS) Jazz Ensemble “Swing Into Spring” Benefit Concert returns to The Paramount on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 3:30PM, featuring the national award-winning Albemarle HS Jazz Band and an all-star lineup of the area’s top professional musicians sitting in with the ensemble. This event is designed as a benefit for the band to give back to the Charlottesville community. This year, the band will feature unique performances from Dropping Julia, Ivan Orr, Greg Thomas, Taylor Barnett, Bobby Gregg, Charles Owens, John D’Earth, Jay Pun, and Morwenna Lasko! The event will once again be hosted by Z95’s Sherry Taylor.
Benefit Goal: The award-winning AHS Ensemble, under the direction of Andrew LaPrade, has for decades earned high-profile regional and national recognition for its consistent dedication to excellence, and for its unwavering respect and love for this uniquely American art form. In 2025, the band placed 2nd at the National Jazz Festival in Philadelphia, PA. The group has enjoyed the support of the Charlottesville community and is proud to headline an event to give back to this same community. Since 2022, the AHS Jazz Ensemble has raised over $20,000 for area non-profits. AHS Jazz is proud to support Stepping Stone as this year’s beneficiary of the event.
Stepping Stone was established in 2021 to meet a unique need—to provide children age newborn to three from under-resourced families with essentials that ensure their healthy development and safety. The items they provide include diapers/wipes, new and gently used baby clothes, strollers, car seats, and pack ‘n plays.
According to Director Andrew LaPrade, “This concert is an incredible opportunity for our students to interact with and play with some of the region’s great musicians performing all kinds of music. In working on this project, the students become aware of community organizations that affect the area in which they live and how they can make an immediate impact with their music. This concert is a springboard to continue this line of work to better their community.”
The 34-piece band’s fundraising goal for Stepping Stone is $5,000.
