Arts & Entertainment
Local Jazz Groups Place in Mingus Competition
Jazz House Big Band took home a first-place prize and the Jazz House Messengers received Spirit Award.
The Jazz House Big Band won first place in the Big Band-Specialized Schools and Programs category, and the Jazz House Messengers, which competed in the Combo category for Specialized Schools and Programs, received the Spirit Award at the Sixth Annual Charles Mingus High School Festival and Competition in New York last weekend.
Outstanding soloist awards were presented to six Jazz House Kids students: trombonist Coleman Hughes, drummer Cameron MacIntosh, saxophonist Zoe Obadia, guitarist Rahsaan Pickett, pianist Isaiah Thompson and trumpeter Liam Werner.
Liam and Coleman are from Montclair.
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"Jazz House Kids had a great weekend at the Charles Mingus High School Competition and Festival this weekend," said JHK spokesperson Nancy Klein. "Our Big Band tore down the house winning Best Big Band in the Specialized Category as well as five outstanding soloist awards."
The Jazz House Messengers were awarded the "Spirit Award" for their passionate performance, according to Klein.
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"We couldn't be more proud of all our students," Klein said.
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