Congratulations to all the Finalists!

On Sunday, February 17th, competition finalists gathered to honor the memory and music of Charles Mingus.  Each band gave a commendable performance and displayed incredible heart and dedication.  Adjudicators considered rhythm, improvisation, interpretation, musicianship, and "Mingus Spirit" in their evaluations.

2013 Mingus Awards

Best Big Band

Non-specialized:  Boston Latin School Big BandSpecialized:  SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Orchestra

Best Combo

Non-Specialized:  Rio Americano Minguys Jazz ComboSpecialized:  SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Combo

Mingus Spirit Award

Batterman Ensemble, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music

Outstanding Combo Arrangement

O.P. & Nostalgia in Times Square:  Coleman Hughes, Newark Academy Combo

Outstanding Sections

Sax Section - Lexington High School Big BandSax Section - Tulsa Jam'bassadors All-City Band

Outstanding Soloists

Alexa Dumont - Bass - Foxboro High SchoolNoah Harrington - Bass - Lexington High SchoolLogan Kane - Bass - SFJAZZKanoa Mendenhall - Bass - SFJAZZJonathan Haywood - Drums - Tulsa Jam'bassadors All-City BandGarrett Parrish - Drums - Lexington High SchoolElena Pinderhughes - Flute - SFJAZZScott Veilleux - Guitar - Greater Hartford Academy of the ArtsJoey Cozza - Piano - Rio Americano Minguys Jazz ComboPeter Garofolo - Piano - Wisconsin Conservatory of MusicKaze Mauser - Piano - Tulsa Jam'bassadors All-City BandJulius Rodriguez - Piano - MSM PrecollegeSam Hart - Saxophone - MSM PrecollegeJulian Lee - Saxophone - MSM PrecollegeEmery Mesich - Saxophone - Rio Americano Minguys Jazz ComboNathan Rice - Saxophone - Newark AcademyColeman Hughes - Trombone - Newark AcademyWillens Jean-Jules - Trumpet - Boston Latin SchoolAndrew Stephens - Trumpet - Rio Americano Minguys Jazz ComboLiam Werner - Trumpet - MSM Precollege 

FINALISTS:

Rio Americano Minguys ComboFoxboro High School Jazz ComboNewark Academy ComboSFJAZZ High School All-Stars ComboGreater Hartford Academy of the Arts Jazz Ensemble 3Batterman Ensemble, Wisconsin Conservatory of MusicMSM Precollege ComboBoston Latin School Big BandLexington High School Big BandNewark Academy Big Band "Chameleon"SFJAZZ High School All-Stars OrchestraTulsa Jam'bassadors All-City BandMSM Precollege Big Band

This year, Sue Mingus offered the opportunity to play on Charles' own legendary Lion's Head bass in the Competition!

An excerpt from Ken Pullig's master class Teaching Mingus:

Woodwind Clinic Excerpt, with Scott Robinson & Wayne Escoffery: