The Spring Harold Dunn Memorial Concert Series, an annual showcase of both classical and contemporary musical excellence, is underway.

Upcoming recitals include performances by Monday Madness Big Band, Lunchbreak Big Band and the Good Times Big Band, the three groups that make up the City College jazz department.

“Jazz is about communication and reaching out,” said Jim Mooy, director of the Lunchbreak Big Band. “Students learn to prepare the vocabulary and when the time comes, use it to create new art.”

All three ensembles have a wide-range of students, community members, advanced high school students and college students that come together to form a close-knit unit.

Monday Madness Big Band, directed by Isaac Jenkins, is an 18-piece professional membership ensemble.

Lunchbreak Big Band, the top student band, has performed at the Reno Jazz Festival and achieved top honors several times under the direction of Jim Mooy.

Good Times Big Band is the intermediate ensemble, directed by Eric Heidner.

“The bands have really come up,” Mooy said. “It’s very unusual for a City College to have three great bands like we do.”

To kick-off the concerts of this month, Monday Madness will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 3, at SOhO Music Club, for a $10 cover charge.

SOhO is a de rigueur location for the Santa Barbara music scene. Heidner believes that the laid-back music club allows students to experience an authentic jazz venue.

“Jazz audiences are more interactive,” Heidner said. “It helps students be prepped for the real world.”

Lunchbreak and Good Times will get a feel for the jazz scene on at 7 p.m. March 10 for Jazz Night at SOhO, $10 cover charge.

Other venues for concerts throughout the spring include the Fé Bland Forum and the Garvin Theatre, both located on the City College West Campus, as well as St. Anthony’s Seminary and First United Methodist Church.

Faculty and students will merge for a night of chamber music on 7 p.m. Sunday, March 9at the Fé Bland Forum. Tickets will be $15 and proceeds benefit a scholarship fund.

“It’s typically a concert that’s pretty eclectic, featuring both classical and jazz,” Mooy said. “We perform as equals.”

The highly anticipated Legends of Jazz fund-raising concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 14 at the Garvin Theatre.

“I am excited about this concert because it is featuring a legend who’s in demand now,” said Mooy.

All three jazz bands will have the chance to perform with jazz legend, Ben Wendel of the band Kneebody.

The Harold Dunn Memorial concerts will be going on from March up until May 18. Other artists include Quire of Voyces, Concert Choir, Concert Band, the Symphony Orchestra and many more.