Bellevue High Jazz Ensemble Wins Competition In Kansas City

BELLEVUE, WA —The Bellevue High School Jazz Ensemble won first place at the "Basically Basie" Jazz Heritage Competition during the week of April 25 in Kansas City, according to the school district.

The competition was part of the Kansas City Jazz Summit, which was held at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

The Bellevue group, which is directed by Edd George, competed against bands from Kansas and Missouri and was selected as the winner based on its "mature playing, great rhythmic feel and outstanding soloists," according to the judges.

Two BHS students also received individual awards. Nick Olney was named "Best Trombone Soloist," while Roman Goran earned the festival's award for "Best Soloist Any Instrument."

"This (accomplishment) is huge for our students and the band program, and it is a great way to top a very successful year back 'in person' for the band and jazz band," the Bellevue School District said in a statement. "They not only represented BHS well, but also exemplified the strength of jazz bands in western Washington."

The members of the Bellevue High School Jazz Ensemble Are:

Eric He
Tim Emerson
Nick Olney
McKenna George
Edmund Justus
Max Wilson
Emre Selcuk
David Barkman
Paarth Nair
Dillon Borberg
Roman Goron
Dennis McIntyre
Paul Sawyer
Noah Kim
Hana O'Kubo
Hendrik Justus
Ajay Karunakaran
Brock Rossman
Sam Bockner