The air was tense in the band room on the brisk Tuesday morning of January 28th. Anxiously, the student musicians of Bothell High School’s top Jazz ensemble waited for the results of what 20 bands would participate in the 31st annual Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition. As band Director Zane Romanek scrolled through the names of the schools, electricity filled the room as the young musicians read the words “Bothell High School (Bothell, WA)” on the Jazz at Lincoln Center website. Despite hurdles, challenges, and odds not being in their favor, the band’s hard work and dedication has paid off once again, and come spring the 20 students in Bothell Jazz 1 will set off for New York and participate in the prestigious competition for the whole world to see.

The Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition was first launched in 1995 and was designed as a top level high school jazz band educational experience and competition for the top bands all across America to experience. It’s hosted by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and the selected ensembles get to perform and compete within Lincoln Center itself. Last year the highly competitive competition expanded to include 30 bands as opposed to 15, and allowed bands outside of America to apply. This year the competition was made even stiffer with only 20 bands being selected and no limits on bands from certain regions, while still allowing international bands to apply. This new criteria for selection in itself made being selected for the competition harder than it’s ever been, and that doesn’t account for the internal changes the Bothell jazz band had faced. Although Bothell is no stranger to the Essentially Ellington competition, this year’s band had some big shoes to fill after losing more than 10 strong seniors last year and getting a new director in Mr. Romanek. Despite these changes the band put in the work, persevered, and put forth an extremely strong audition that won over the hearts of the judges and landed them a spot in the competition for the fifth year in a row. In particular, the strong leadership of Director Zane Romanek helped the band tremendously throughout the process of selecting, rehearsing, and recording material for the Ellington audition. Although new and young, his passion and wisdom are beyond his years and the band would certainly not be at the level they are at now without his help and encouragement.

The work does not stop here however. Bothell Jazz 1 has festivals at Clark College, Bellevue College, and Newport High School to prepare for in addition to the music they need to rehearse for Ellington. The ensemble is one of three bands from Washington participating in the competition in late May, the others being Shorewood and Mountlake Terrace. It’s certainly going to be a rigorous winter and spring for the young ensemble. However just like every other band from the past five years, these kids will keep on shedding and keep on swingin’. And they’ll be sure to do it all with smiles on their faces.