Jazz House Kids Wins Top Honors in National Competition

Montclair’s Jazz House Kids Big Band took first place in its division again in this year’s Fourth Annual Charles Mingus High School Competition and Festival last weekend.

The group, under the direction of Julius Tolentino, performed three compositions: Gunslinging Bird, Tijuana Gift and GG Train.

Jazz House Kids also received honors with the Best Small Group in the Specialized Combo Category, directed again by Julius Tolentino as well as Radam Schwartz.  The group performed Peggy’s Blue Skylight, Nostalgia in Times Square and Goodby Pork Pie Hat.

The festival took place February 17-20 in various locations throughout Manhattan, though primarily at the Manhattan School of Music on upper Broadway.  The program included performances and master classes on Friday and Saturday and the competitions took place on Sunday.

In addition to the group honors, Jazz House Kids received eight Outstanding Soloist Awards:

• Julian Lee, Alto Sax (from Montclair)
• Zoe Obadia, Alto Sax (from Glen Ridge)
• Liam Werner, trumpet (from Montclair)
• Conor Malloy, drums (from Harding)
• Cameron McIntosh, drums (from S. Orange)
• Nathan Rice, Tenor Sax (from Basking Ridge)
• Wallace Roney Jr., trumpet (from Montclair)
• Coleman Hughes, trombone (from Montclair)

Jazz House Kids’ creative director is the internationally renowned bassist, Christian McBride.  The organization provides instruction and mentoring to young jazz musicians; its mission, according to executive director Melissa Walker is to “create as many authentic jazz experiences for young people as possible.”