Eisenhower jazz band strikes a strong note at state competition

Eisenhower High School’s Jazz Band hit all the right notes to take a top award at the Michigan Jazz Weekend festival.

The band’s rhythm section was named the best overall section in the Class AA by judges at the 43rd annual Phi Mu Alpha/Central Michigan University Jazz Weekend on February 5.

“All of the Eisenhower Jazz students worked extraordinarily hard to help our Rhythm Section earn the top award in class AA at CMU’s Jazz Weekend,” said Director Christopher Traskal. “Without the dedication and determination of every student in the band, we would not be recognized with this honor!”

The band competed against 20 other state high school groups, many of which are highly regarded throughout the state for Jazz excellence. The festival featured approximately 70 bands in four different classes.

This is the first award the Eisenhower Jazz Ensemble has earned since it began attending the festival in the late 1980s.