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Meet the award-winning West Salem students hooked on jazz.

The six members of the West Salem Jazz Combo recently took first at the State Jazz Championships, the first time that West Salem’s combo has ever won the award. Much of their performances are improvised.

“In all the groups I’ve been in, this has been my favorite one by a long shot,” Yuval Pool, a graduating senior in the combo, told Salem Reporter. “When someone’s succeeding and they’re having a good solo, it’s like everyone feels it. And it’s so joyful. When we finished our (state competition) set on stage, I just – that’s like the happiest I’ve ever felt.”

If you’re interested in hearing the group’s music for yourself, you’re in luck. The group is performing alongside another West Salem jazz group and middle school bands later this week at Straub Middle School. The night of jazz performances costs $5 per ticket and starts at 6 p.m. Friday, May 29.

Tickets and more information are available here. Straub Middle School is located at 1920 Wilmington Ave. N.W.

Here’s some of today’s news. Head to our website anytime for the latest in local news.  

www.salemreporter.com

Student-run West Salem Jazz Combo takes home first in state contest

The West Salem Jazz Combo, a small band with six student players, won first in state earlier this month after the program’s revival. Their winning set included two original pieces…

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www.salemreporter.com

5 things to do in Salem this week: Gaiety Hollow open garden, Salem Mystic Fair, space-themed concert 

Events in Salem this week include the Salem Mystic Fair at the Reed Opera House, an open garden event at the historic Gaiety Hollow home and a space-themed Salem Symphonic…

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www.salemreporter.com

Teen turns himself in after downtown Salem shooting

The Salem Police Department announced Tuesday that they arrested a 16-year-old in connection with a Wednesday, May 20, downtown shooting that sent another teenager to the hospital. To comment on…

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READERS REACT: “This is an excellent display of pictures! Thank you,” one reader wrote on photographer Hailey Cook’s collection of photos from Awesome 3000.

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