Jazz bands from across the island will come together for the 15th annual Whidbey Jazz Concert next week.

Five middle school and high school ensembles from Coupeville, Oak Harbor and South Whidbey will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 23 at the South Whidbey High School Auditorium.

The event will feature the music of South Whidbey’s award-winning jazz band, led by Chris Harshman; Langley Middle School’s jazz band, directed by Jess Monett; Coupeville Middle and High School, under the direction of Jamar Jenkins; Dr. Andy Judd’s North Whidbey Middle School band; and Oak Harbor High School, under the direction of Bruce Lantz, now in his 30th year.

The event is sponsored by the Whidbey Island Jazz Society since 1990 and has collected $78,350 in scholarships for Whidbey Island high school seniors to continue their musical education.

Last year scholarships were awarded to graduates on South Whidbey along with Oak Harbor.

The Whidbey Island Jazz Society is a volunteer group led by Ginny and Jerry Jones of Oak Harbor, who play for donations to support the scholarships.

The society hosts jam sessions and open mic nights for all musicians, including high school-age musicians.

Tickets cost $8 for general admission tickets and are available at The Moonraker in Langley, The Paint Escape in Freeland and Click Music and Whidbey Party Store in Oak Harbor. A DVD recording of the evening’s jazz concert will also be available for $15 to further the scholarship proceeds. For more information, contact Jerry Jones at 360-679-2066.