Taft Union High School senior Patrick Gonzales successfully auditioned March 21 for the Kern County Honor Jazz Band and will be playing second piano at the Bakersfield Jazz Festival at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at California State University, Bakersfield.

“Patrick is our first Taft High student to ever get a spot,” announced band director Amanda Posey. “Special thanks to Mike McCormick who helped prepare Patrick and drove him to the audition in Bakersfield. Mr. McCormick works tirelessly behind the scenes with students. He is a great asset to our school.”