Douglas Anderson Selected as Finalist for National Jazz Competition
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts has been selected as one of 15 schools in the country to participate in the annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival in New York City, one of the most innovative jazz education events in the world.
This is not the first time Douglas Anderson’s jazz band has been selected as a finalist; it was selected in 2004 and again in 2006, and ended up winning the competition in 2006.
The jazz band will compete and participate in workshops, jam sessions and more during the three-day competition and festival, which will be held May 15-17 at the Lincoln Center.
The festival concludes with a final evening concert and awards ceremony at the center’s Avery Fisher Hall featuring the three top-placing bands and the Lincoln Center Orchestra performing with prominent jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.
Ace Martin, Douglas Anderson’s instrumental music chairman, says the band is excited about having the opportunity to participate in the finals, and hopes to win the competition again.
“Essentially Ellington is truly a great learning environment for all aspects of jazz,” he said. “This is wonderful for music education in Duval County and the city of Jacksonville.”
Before the competition, the Jazz at Lincoln Center will send a professional musician to Douglas Anderson free of charge to lead an intensive day-long workshop of rehearsals, lessons and master classes.
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