This past weekend the Eastman Youth Jazz Orchestra (EYJO) took part in the first annual Mingus Summit competition. A group of selected finalists from all over the east coast competed, all playing music composed by an influential jazz composer named Charles Mingus. The EYJO, a 21 piece jazz orchestra, left Rochester Saturday February 21st, and returned home on Monday the 23rd as 1st place winners.
The competition took place at the Manhattan School of Music. Great edudacators and world class/professional musicians gave comments, and put on amazing performances.
I, Will Rus, play 1st alto sax in the group. I have to say the most memorable part of the trip was either hearing the world renown Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra play, or witnessing a sax player in another band go on a rampage on stage, spinning and jumping while playing a sub-par solo (my opinion obviously) in front of college proffesors.
The EYJO plays shows all over Rochester, especially in the upcoming months around the Rochester International Jazz Festival.
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