History
Conceived of in the waning months of 2016, the then unnamed jazz festival at Bainbridge High School was meant to fill a hole seen in the regional jazz education scene. A festival that focused on developing the area's rhythm sections and soloists. The hope was to inspire more schools to start combo programs, and to ignite further interest in jazz studies and deeper commitments to life long jazz performance. It's easier for graduates to start a combo later in life than it is a big band, and great combo players in school make for even better big band players. Put simply, the mission was to improve school jazz programs through focus on the often less-rehearsed components of the big band.
Past Festivals
Past Festivals
2024-25 | 7th Annual
Saturday, March 29th2024-25 | 7th Annual
Naomi Moon Siegel, trombone; Tracie Marsh, bass; & Terry Marsh, drums
2023-24 | 6th Annual
Saturday, January 20th2023-24 | 6th Annual
Kareem Kandi, sax; Drew Baddeley, bass; Jacques Willis, drums & vibes
FinalistsAlphabetial order
- Northwest School
- Olympic High School
- Peninsula High School
2022-23 | 5th Annual
Saturday, April 15th2022-23 | 5th Annual
Susan Pascal, vibes; Bill Anschell, piano; Chris Symer, bass; Mark Ivester, drums.
Finalists
- Non-Competitive
2021-22 | 4th Annual
Saturday, May 21st2021-22 | 4th Annual
Brian Lawrence, piano & sax; Bailey Ehgott, guitar; Mike Sundt; Luca Cartner, drums.
Finalists
- Decatur Jazztet
- Ballard Brass
- Northwest School Combo 1
2020-21
Cancelled because of Covid-192020-21
2019-20
Cancelled because of Covid-192019-20
2018-19 | 3rd Annual
Saturday, December 7th2018-19 | 3rd Annual
Jared Hall, trumpet; John Hanson, piano; Ben Feldman, bass; Matt Jorgensen, drums.
Combined Results
- Bellarmine Prep
- Fairview Middle School
- Charles Wright Academy
2017-18 | 2nd Annual
Saturday, December 1st2017-18 | 2nd Annual
Adjudicators: Dr David Deacon-Joyner & Tracy Knoop.Clinicians: Tracy Marsh, Terry Marsh, & Roy Brown.
High Schools Results
Middle School Results
- Decatur High School
- Monroe High School
- Auburn High School
Middle School Results
- Fairview Middle School
2016-17 | Inaugural Year
Saturday, December 2nd2016-17 | Inaugural Year
Dr. Vanessa Sielert, sax; Dr. Vern Sielert, trumpet; Marcus Kitley, guitar; Dr. David Deacon-Joyner, piano; Marina Christopher, bass; D'Vonne Lewis, drums
High Schools Results
Middle Schools Results
- Auburn Riverside High School
- Auburn High School
- Kingston High School
Middle Schools Results
- Woodward Middle School Combo A