Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival

The annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival is one of the most innovative jazz education events in the world. Each year, high school musicians from across North America travel to New York City to spend three days immersed in workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals, and performances at the “House of Swing,” Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Congratulations to the 15 finalist bands who will compete for top honors at the 29th annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. We look forward to hosting you at the House of Swing!

• Agoura High School (Agoura Hills, CA) Directed by Chad Bloom
• Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts (West Palm Beach, FL) Directed by Christopher M. De León
• Beloit Memorial High School (Beloit, WI) Directed by Chris Behrens
• Bothell High School (Bothell, WA) Directed by Philip Dean
• Byron Center High School (Byron Center, MI) Directed by Marc Townley
• Garfield High School (Seattle, WA) Directed by Jared Sessink
• King Philip Regional High School (Wrentham, MA) Directed by Michael Keough
• Newark Academy (Livingston, NJ) Directed by Julius Tolentino
• Orange County School of the Arts (Santa Ana, CA) Directed by John Reynolds
• Osceola County School for the Arts (Kissimmee, FL) Directed by Jason Anderson
• Plano West Senior High School (Plano, TX) Directed by Preston Pierce
• Roosevelt High School (Seattle, WA) Directed by Hannah Mowry
• Susan E. Wagner High School (Staten Island, NY) Directed by Paul Corn
• Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble (Raleigh, NC) Directed by Gregg Gelb
• Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage (Wheaton, IL) Directed by Robert Blazek