Jazz at Lincoln Center announced this morning the 15 finalist bands and one winning community band for its prestigious 17th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. Among the finalists were three bands from Washington State, including Ballard High School, Mountlake Terrace High School, and Roosevelt High School. The bands will compete and participate in workshops, jam sessions, and more, during a three-day Competition & Festival in New York City May 4th through the 6th. The three top-placing bands perform with Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Wynton Marsalis, as guest soloist, followed by a performance by the 15-piece Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra ‟ whose members serve as mentors for the finalist bands throughout the weekend. The Festival’s finale is an awards ceremony honoring outstanding soloists, sections and the top three bands. The Competition & Festival is the culmination of the annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Program (EE), which also includes regional festivals, teaching resources, a summer Band Director Academy, monthly newsletters, and more.
Last year, Roosevelt High School took second place, while Mountlake Terrace finished third.
For more information on the competition, visit jalc.org/essentiallyellington.
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