Last year was the first time the festival had been opened to participants west of the Mississippi and Garfield, Roosevelt and Kentridge were all invited.  Roosevelt and Garfield will be returning this year.  Mountlake Terrace (who recently won Outstanding Large Ensemble at Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival) and Shorewood High School will be attending for the first time.  Shorewood's new director attended last year with his Kentridge band.

The finalist are the recipients of Ellington charts, visits from Ellington clinicians and subsidies to take the bands to New York in May for  three days filled with jams, clinics, performances, clubs and competition. 

The tunes they will be learning and performing include: Anitra's Dance, I've Got It Bad, The Mooche, The Peanut Vendor, Perdido and The Star-Crossed Lovers.  What an interesting assortment.

We were there last year and know what a great opportunity and experience this will be for all involved.  The organization is extremely well-run and Wynton Marsalis engages in a wonderful, hands-on camaraderie with the participants.  The first night jam session is filled with the electric enthusiasm of the students.  

And, what a thrill to say they have played on the concert stage at Lincoln Center, world-recognized music mecca that it is.

Check out the Essentially Ellington site here.