Jazz combo wins state championship

Congratulations to the Upper School Jazz Combo for traveling to Newport, Maine, and playing its way to the top of Combo Division 3 at the Maine Music Educators Association State Instrumental Jazz Festival!

They impressed all with challenging selections by Duke Ellington, Mal Waldron, and Joshua Redman.  Tenor saxophonist Julian Abbott ’18, drummer Tafari Makinen-Hall ’20, and pianist Julian Ray ’21 each received certificates for achieving a I (one) rating as outstanding soloists.  In addition, Julian Abbott ’18 received the Dale Huff Award as the single outstanding musician in Division 3.  The group also received one of only two Division 3 Gold Medal Performance plaques earned for an average score of 95 or higher.

Combo members:

Julian Abbott’ ’18 – tenor sax
Ethan Armstrong ’20 – upright & electric bass
Sophi Aronson ’20 – keyboards/synth
Tafari Makinen-Hall ’20 – drums
Julian Ray ’21 – piano & Oberheim synth