Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival Offers a Day of World Class Music

The 33rd Annual Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival will take place on Saturday , March 24, 2018 – 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the GHS performing arts center.

The Greenwich High School Band Program, under the direction of Mr. John Yoon, will once again host an Essentially Ellington Regional High School Jazz Festival. This education-focused music festival is designed to offer high school jazz bands the opportunity to perform the music of Duke Ellington and other seminal big band composers. This year, over 15 high school bands will participate and receive professional feedback from Jazz at Lincoln Center clinicians and other jazz professionals.

Come to the GHS Performing Arts Center on Saturday, March 24th for a day of jazz! The music will begin at 11:00 a.m. Each band will perform for approximately 30 minutes. This program will conclude with a Judges’ Exhibition Performance at 6:30 p.m., followed by an awards presentation.

According to Mr. Yoon, “This is a great opportunity for the community to come and enjoy America’s Music. It is not often that you get to enjoy world-class music without having to travel out of the area.

The Greenwich community and all in attendance will enjoy top notch high school jazz bands in addition to an exhibition performance by the judges, who are all world class educators and musicians.” The day will feature a competition between 12 high school jazz bands from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. After the competition, the audience will be treated to an exhibition bythe GHS Jazz Ensemble directed by John Yoon. In addition, the Jazz Festival Judges will perform, followed by an awards presentation.

The Performing Judges are:

Ronald Carter. An award-winning educator, director and author. Carter is currently an artist for Conn-Selmer Inc. and
D’Addario Woodwinds (Rico Reeds).

Justin DiCioccio an internationally recognized jazz educator who has performing and conducting credentials for concerts, commercials, Broadway shows. DiCioccio has worked and recorded with such acclaimed artists as Arturo Sandoval, Randy Brecker, Chuck Mangione, Phil Woods, Stan Getz and Clark Terry.

Jim Gasior. A jazz educator, pianist and arranger. Gasior has performed and/or recorded with international pop artists and groups – Ricky Martin, Kelly Clarkson, Alih Jey, Chayanne, Jose Feliciano, Little Richard, Michael Bolton, Smokey Robinson, to name a few.

Jon Faddis. A complete and consummate musician – conductor, composer, and educator. Faddis began playing at age seven, inspired by an appearance by Louis Armstrong on the Ed Sullivan Show. His distinctive trumpet appears on hundreds of records and numerous soundtracks for film and television.

The Festival’s Master of Ceremonies will be Rick Petrone.

An admission ticket ($10/adults, $5/children & seniors) allows you to enter and exit, at your convenience, for the entire day. There will be a wide selection of refreshments for sale, such as deli sandwiches and baked goods. Proceeds from ticket and refreshment sales will help to support future competitive band programs and trips. We look forward to seeing you during this exciting day of jazz!