Paly and Gunn held their 47th annual jazz concert in the Gunn auditorium on Dec. 13.

Shawn McGinn, the director of Gunn’s Jazz band, said jazz music starts with working together to build energy.

“A group tries to create music together and then figures out how they enjoy playing the piece.” McGinn said. “Then, you really have the starting point to begin to make music — wanting to listen to each other, wanting the other person to be good and then just playing with lots of energy (and) really going for it. 

McGinn said that both jazz bands performed spectacularly and brought enthusiasm.

“It’s like they say in sports, ‘Leave everything on the field,’” McGinn said. “It’s that kind of feeling like I tried as hard as I could. I focused so hard. My general thought is that there was a lot of good energy. Ninety-five percent of the feeling that I have right now is just joy about the whole experience because these students worked really hard for this, and they had a good experience. We met our objective for the night.”

McGinn said the synergy of the Paly and Gunn Jazz band contributed to the positive atmosphere.

“I’ve always loved the collaboration between Gunn and Paly,” McGinn said. “I feel like in an athletic space, there’s always kind of a bit of a rivalry but in music, it’s like, ‘How can you work together best?’” 

Paly freshman Liani Ragade, who plays the bass guitar, said the concert was good exposure for each school’s jazz bands.

“I thought it was really cool that we came and got to experience what the Gunn band sounds like and see friends from the Gunn band,” Ragade said. “They’re just so many different styles of jazz.”

Ragade also said the Paly jazz band puts in a lot of work behind the scenes to prepare for performances. 

“We rehearse three to four days a week, from 7:55-8:50 (a.m.) during zero period, and we do a lot of work,” Ragade said. “Mr. Wilner gives us pieces that are challenging, but they also build our skills.”

However, jazz music is not only for musicians. McGinn said the beautiful part about jazz is its inclusiveness. 

“Jazz music has always been like the best music, in my opinion, for integrating all walks of life,” McGinn said. “Everybody’s welcome, come and play, come and do it, and so it’s always been (about) inclusion. It’s a colorblind kind of music, and it’s super beautiful in that way.”

Ultimately, Ragade said people should make an effort to support the jazz band and experience future concerts.

“I think concerts are a great way, whether you’re a big fan of music or not, to come and listen to musicians who practice really hard on their skills,” Ragade said. “(You get) to listen to all different kinds of music at performances, and you can get familiar with jazz music. Maybe you decide you like it yourself.”