INUVIK - Bob Mumford is anything but a music snob, even after 30 years of playing saxophone.

He's a former member of the band Razzamajazz. Now he finds himself in his fourth year as a member of the community jazz band. He said he loves attending practices once a week and working with his six fellow musicians, many of whom are finding their way back to music.

Members of the Community Jazz Band are shown playing at the town's Christmas Concert held last December. From left, former member Sarah Tilley, Janet Boxwell, Brian Terry and Bob Mumford. - NNSL file photo

"The focus is just fun," he said. "But there's a certain quality you get when you have a bunch of brass instruments playing together and when you really hit it right.

"It's exciting when we perform and if we connect on something that energy comes through and you can really feel it."

The band also includes drummer Bella Niles, Kelly Eggers on trombone, Janet Boxwell and Brian Terry on saxophone and Dave Musselwhite on trumpet, as well as Luke Eberl on piano.

Eberl, a Beaver volunteer working at Samuel Hearne Secondary School, is someone who does not fall into the amateur category. A trained jazz pianist, Eberl is an extraordinary talent, said Mumford. Unfortunately he'll be heading back to his home in Los Angeles in a few weeks time.

Inuvik's transitory population is something to which the band has had to constantly adjust. Luckily there's been enough musicians around to fill the voids.

"I think it's important just to have something here," Mumford said. "There are people that used to play in high school and haven't played for years. They're coming back to it. That's exciting for them. That's great."

The band has already played at several events recently, including a fundraising dinner and auction for the Inuvik chapter of the NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities last weekend.

On Saturday they'll perform again at the francophone association's art show at the curling club.

"The more exposure we get, the more people ask us to play at other locations. It's taken on a life of its own."

The meat and potatoes of their show rests with a selection of classic jazz numbers. They're continuing to build on that.

Lorne Guy said he's a fan of the band and what it adds to the community.

"They're entertaining," he said.

"I've seen a lot of improvement in the band. They're always welcoming to other groups and people. You don't even need to have a lot of talent, you just have to come in and be willing to do something fun and interesting. I respect that a lot."