Congratulations to the Bellevue High School Jazz Ensemble for an outstanding first place performance at the Basically Basie Jazz Festival! The group traveled to Kansas City the week of April 25 to showcase their musical talent, entertain audiences and compete against schools from across the Midwest.
Edd George, the director, praised the group for how hard they have worked all year, and for their focus and genuine joy of playing music. It showed when they performed, as many people in the audience were moved by the music. This is huge for our students and the band program, and it is a great way to top a very successful year back ‘in person’ for the band and jazz band.
The BHS group competed against some great bands from across Kansas and Missouri, and the judges selected them as the winner based on their mature playing, great rhythmic feel and outstanding soloists. They not only represented BHS well, but also exemplified the strength of jazz bands in western Washington.
Two BHS students received individual awards as well. Nick Olney was named best trombone soloist, and Roman Goron was named the best soloist of the entire festival on any instrument.
Congratulations, BHS Musicians, for a Job Well Done
- Eric He
- Tim Emerson
- Nick Olney
- McKenna George
- Edmund Justus
- Max Wilson
- Emre Selcuk
- David Barkman
- Paarth Nair
- Dillon Borberg
- Roman Goron
- Dennis McIntyre
- Paul Sawyer
- Noah Kim
- Hana O’Kubo
- Hendrik Justus
- Ajay Karunakaran
- Brock Rossman
- Sam Bockner