Memphis Central High School’s Jazz Band captured first place honors at the 30th annual “Essentially Ellington” High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival.
Their title was won in New York on May 11, under the direction of Dr. Ollie Liddell.
For the last 13 years, Dr. Liddell has been the band’s director.
After a record 127 schools entered the tournament, overseas bands were allowed to compete for the first time this year.
They won first prize, followed by the Sant Andreu Jazz Band from Barcelona, Spain in second place and the Osceola County School for the Arts from Kissimmee, Florida in third place.
