BREMERTON — It looks like a giant saxophone and he looks like an average sized person. But maybe it’s an averaged sized saxophone and he’s a very little person.

Well, it’s actually a contrabass saxophone — one of 12 in existence — and it’s huge.

Rob Verdi, 54, played it at Bremerton High School April 14 as part of his show “SAXsational.”

“SAXsational” featured Verdi playing with the Central Kitsap High School band.

“SAXsational” takes Verdi all over the country to play with high school bands.

He said the Central Kitsap band is among the best he’s played with.

“This band is wonderful,” Verdi said. “I’ve done over 40. This band ranks up there.”

Verdi said he’s been to Bremerton before as a member of the Side Street Strutters.

Verdi and three others formed the Strutters shortly after he graduated from Arizona State University.

A couple years later, the Strutters found themselves playing at Disneyland. Every day (almost). For 30 years.

Although they’re not called the Side Street Strutters anymore. At Disneyland they go by the Jambalaya Jazz Band.

The show even featured a performance by Central Kitsap High School’s Duke Silver Quintet, who warmed the audience with their jazz.

The show was a presented by the West Sound Entertainment Association. It was their final concert of the year.

“It should be a really grand experience for the kids and a good one for the community,” said Nancy Reid, a member of the West Sound Entertainment board of directors.

Jason Vogt, technical director at the BHS Performing Arts Center, was excited by the opportunity his students had to work with a professional musician.

“My kids are getting great experience with real musicians,” Vogt said.

Shows like this may be short lived.

West Sound is struggling exist. It needs about 500 people to operate, but membership is down considerably.

Prior to the show, Tex Lewis, a member of West Sound, asked the audience for help.

“We cannot afford next year’s performance,” Lewis said. “Quite frankly, we have to decide how and if we can continue this organization.”

Vogt has worked with West Sound before and said they’re great partners.

“They’re awesome,” Vogt said. “They should stick around.”

For more information, visit www.kitsapconcerts.org.