Awards

Roosevelt Jazz Band Shines at Essentially Ellington

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(chaperone updates from the Roosevelt Jazz Facebook page)
So Proud of Roosevelt Jazz!!! Grateful for the Essentially Ellington journey and the opportunity to be part of 15 amazing jazz bands selected. Congratulations to the top three finalists Foxboro High School, Orange County School of the Arts and Osceola County School of the Arts.
A gigantic congratulations to Director Scott Brown, the Roosevelt Jazz Band and to the amazing musicians who make it swing!
And special kudos to the soloist and section award winners!
Outstanding Rhythm Section:
Theo Shouse, Quinn Wedemeyer, Grace Kaste, Yoshi Stroh, Alexander Polyakovsky, Alejandro Roca
Outstanding Saxophone Section:
Owen Gwinn, Taiyo Fuwa, Rachel Nolander, Dylan Senescall, Liam Randell
Outstanding Piano: Theo Shouse
Outstanding Drums: Yoshi Stroh & Alexander Polyakovsky
Outstanding Bass: Grace Kaste
Honorable Mention: Banjo Maco Dacanay
Outstanding Tenor Sax: Owen Gwinn
Outstanding Trumpet: Javier Gonzalez

Roosevelt JB1 makes the list for Essentially Ellington!

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Way to go, Roosevelt! Director Scott Brown said it best: “Congrats to our Roosevelt Jazz Band students for being accepted by blind audition as Essentially Ellington Finalists for 2022! Congrats also to Bothell and Mt. Si, whose jazz bands were the other two chosen from our region.” A total of 15 bands have been invited to participate in the 27th annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival to be held May 5-7 at Lincoln Center in NYC. See the full list of finalists here: https://academy.jazz.org/ee/ Congratulations to all involved!

Seattle Times story on the three finalists (the Roosevelt Jazz Band is featured in the picture!)

It’s time for the Gala and Hot Java Cool Jazz!

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Our ensembles are preparing new music for spring events including our biggest fundraiser, the Gala. Information and Tickets to our March 21st Gala can be found here. Starbucks 25th Annual Hot Java Cool Jazz concert takes place on Friday, March 27th at the Paramount Theatre. Ticketing information is here.

Congratulations to all our ensembles. Jean-Marie Kent and Vocal Jazz performed at the Bellevue College Vocal Jazz Festival where they received feedback from Kerry Marsh and enjoyed a master class and concert with Jeff Baker. Jazz Band IV was marvelous at the University of Washington Jazz Festival, where Jazz Band III, directed by Mark Taylor, took home an ‘Outstanding Ensemble Award.’ U.W. Chair and Professor of Jazz Studies, Cuong Vu, and Assistant Professor, Ted Poor, performed and talked to festival participants about improvisation. Michael Van Bebber and Jazz Band II took first place in their division at the 58th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival. They are honored to be invited to travel to Monterey this spring as finalists in the Next Generation Jazz Festival. Scott Brown and The Roosevelt Jazz Band and the Combo both won top prize at the Bellevue College Jazz Festival. A clinic with Chris Bruya of C.W.U. was enlightening, and the master class and concert with Ignacio Berroa were inspiring and heart-warming. Jazz Bands I and II had a special clinic with The Westerlies who are in town for Westerlies Fest 2020. These wonderful events could not happen without the unwavering support of Scott Brown, Jean-Marie Kent, Michael Van Bebber, Mark Taylor, and you! Thank you!

RHS Jazz Wins at Reno and Bellevue

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35th Annual Bellevue Jazz Festival

We had a great time at this annual festival hosted by Bellevue High School.  Jazz Bands III and IV came in 1st and 2nd  in their division, and Jazz Band II took 2nd place in the 3A division.  To play well and be recognized is a great thing and the result of a lot of hard work.   Congratulations!

Bellevue Jazz Festival Winners Page

Reno Jazz Festival

Jazz Band I performed with joy and skill at the Reno Jazz Festival. A fantastic clinic with Clay Jenkins after the performance was a bonus. We were delighted to make the finals, and to win first place in the High School AAA division. Our Combos took third and fourth places. Congratulations Scott Brown and Jazz Band I. Well earned.

Reno Jazz Festival Winners Page

 

UW Jazz Festival

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Will Knight (JB2, trumpet), and Kai DeSpain (JB1, tenor sax) received Outstanding Soloist awards at the UW Jazz Festival on January 28. JB1 was one of two finalists selected to perform in the evening concert. Congratulations! The emphasis of this festival is education, ensemble performance, improvisation and developing the jazz language.  Roosevelt was well represented with JB1, JB2, and JB3 all participating.