The future of jazz is at Jazz At Lincoln Center
Jazz At Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Historic Selection Of 30 High School Jazz Bands To Compete In New York City, May 7-11, 2025
In honor of the milestone anniversary, the organization also announced plans to expand the unique high school arts education program which has impacted thousands of students, band directors, and the worldwide Essentially Ellington community throughout its 30 year history.
For the first time, Jazz at Lincoln Center has doubled the number of bands, from 15 to 30, selected to compete in the finals. A 3-day competition in years past, the 2025 Essentially Ellington Competition & Festival will take place over five days, which will include two rounds of competition taking place on two stages, Rose Theater and the Appel Room. The final concert and awards ceremony will be held on May 11 at the Metropolitan Opera House, located at 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY.
One of the most innovative education events in the world, the Essentially Ellington program and resources for students and band directors are free of charge and aim to elevate musicianship, broaden perspectives, and inspire performance through the music of jazz icon Duke Ellington.
Essentially Ellington Festival events, including the final concert with the top-placing bands and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, will stream live on jazzlive.com. For more information, visit jazz.org/ee.
photo by Frank Stewart