Student Celebrations
Roosevelt High takes second, Ballard High reaches finals at Essentially Ellington jazz festival
Roosevelt High School took second place and Ballard High School was one of 15 finalists at the 17th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival, presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York.
At an awards ceremony after the performances, Wynton Marsalis, artistic director at the center, presented Scott Brown, Roosevelt music director, the second place trophy and a $2,500 award.
Several students from Ballard and Roosevelt also received outstanding soloist awards. They were:
• Outstanding Tenor Saxophone: Adrian Noteboom, Roosevelt
• Outstanding Trumpet: John Otten, Roosevelt; Noah Halpern, Roosevelt; and Sam Zisette, Ballard
• Outstanding Piano: Chris McCarthy, Roosevelt
• Outstanding Drums: Nate Sampson, Roosevelt
• Outstanding Vocalist: Jade Likkel, Ballard
Also, the Outstanding Brass section went to Roosevelt High.
The bands were chosen by a panel of judges composed of distinguished jazz musicians and historians. The three top bands were chosen from a field of 15 finalist bands that participated in the three-day Competition & Festival from May 4-6.
Competition performances will archived beginning May 8 at http://www.jalc.org/essentiallyellington2012. Read more.