Wynton’s Blog

Swinging with kids at Essentially Ellington 2009

Essentially Ellington is always the highlight of my year.
15 Big Bands of youngsters from all over the country swinging. The kids this year were very socially conscious and the level of musicianship extremely high. Parents, band, directors, clinicians, volunteers, judges, mentors, from the jazz at Lincoln Center orchestra and fans surround this festival in a cocoon of love. After judging the band, playing pieces with the three winning bands, playing set of 6 new pieces with the Jazz at Lincoln Orchestra, presenting award to over 75 kids and directors, signing over 400 certificates, we played basketball in the houe of swing with kids until 2 in the morning.

It was a great day.
Ted Nash led the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra in some swinging sets of Ellington in Dizzy's.
Swing was in the air —— everywhere.

Wynton

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