All Of It (WNYC): A Preview of the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival
Host: Tiffany Hansen (in for Alison Stewart)
Air Date: May 1, 2024
Guests:
- Todd Stoll, Jazz Trumpeter & VP of Education at Jazz at Lincoln Center
- Sherman Irby, Lead Alto Saxophonist, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
- Paul Korn, Assistant Principal/Band Director, Susan E. Wagner High School
- The Susan E. Wagner High School Jazz Band (students)
Episode Overview
This episode spotlights the 29th annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival, hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center, which celebrates the legendary Duke Ellington—whose 125th birthday would have been this week. The program features insightful conversations with educators and musicians, a focus on jazz education’s significance, and live performances from one of this year’s finalists, the Susan E. Wagner High School Jazz Band from Staten Island.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Legacy of Duke Ellington
- Relevance and Timelessness:
- Both guests and host reflect on Ellington's enduring legacy in jazz and his unique blending of African American music with European classical traditions.
- Sherman Irby:
“He encompassed everything. The sophistication of melodic and harmonic ability, the mastery of those things. And so in his arrangements and his compositions, it had a sophistication that was timeless.” [10:57]
The Essentially Ellington Competition
- Monumental Opportunity:
- The festival brings together 15 top high school jazz bands from across the country to compete and perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center, exposing young musicians to a national community of jazz enthusiasts.
- Paul Korn:
“We're about to go do one of the most fun things you can ever do—playing an instrument, surrounded by students all over the country who want to do the same thing.” [08:37]
- Selection Process:
- Todd Stoll explains the competition’s structure, noting that bands submit recordings, are adjudicated by experts, and the country is divided into regions, with the top groups invited to NYC.
- Todd Stoll:
“It’s our 29th year. We’ve distributed almost 400,000 charts to over 7,000 schools, 55,000 bands. Over a million students have played this music every year.” [22:40]
- Todd Stoll:
- Todd Stoll explains the competition’s structure, noting that bands submit recordings, are adjudicated by experts, and the country is divided into regions, with the top groups invited to NYC.
The Educational Importance of Jazz
- Freedom and Discipline:
- Jazz education cultivates both personal expression and group cooperation, echoing American cultural ideals.
- Todd Stoll:
“Teaching jazz, I believe, allows you the maximum amount of freedom of expression within the understanding of the sacrifice of what it means to be in a group." [17:15]
- Facing Adversity with Optimism:
- The “blues aspect” of jazz teaches resilience and hope.
- Stoll:
“Things are not always going to be perfect, but we’ll be all right. We’ll get through this.” [17:54]
- Connecting Students with History:
- Paul Korn describes teaching not just the music but the social and historical context, fostering a deeper appreciation among students.
- Paul Korn:
“We try to talk about the time period and, you know, social circumstances and just the reality of the country and the time.” [09:23]
- He discusses the concept of “rent parties” and the roots of early Ellington works.
- Paul Korn:
- Paul Korn describes teaching not just the music but the social and historical context, fostering a deeper appreciation among students.
The Power and Philosophy of Imperfection in Jazz
- Authenticity Over Perfection:
- Guests reinforce that Ellington’s music is about intention, emotion, and authenticity rather than note-for-note accuracy.
- Sherman Irby:
“Life is not perfect, you know, and jazz is a reflection of life. But the joy, just the act of doing it, that's the thing that you get out of it.” [07:15]
- Todd Stoll (on Ellington’s philosophy):
“Music is the art of the invisible. And Duke understood that.” [07:57]
- Paul Korn:
“We're never gonna sound like Duke Ellington. No one does. But we can have the same intent and desire behind it, and that's our goal.” [09:57]
The Challenge and Joy of Jazz Performance for Young Musicians
- Building Community:
- Participation in competitions and events like Essentially Ellington strengthens bonds among students, both within individual schools and nationally.
- Korn:
“We were part of the New York community, but now we're more part of the United States community with all these other bands and directors and students...” [21:46]
- Encouraging New Generations:
- Irby recalls how as a teen in Alabama, access to jazz was limited, highlighting the huge cultural progress competitions like Essentially Ellington represent.
- Sherman Irby:
“I'm from Alabama, and down there we didn't have, like, a first and jazz program in the high schools. That's why I said it's so fantastic that they have that here and that this movement is happening all over the country.” [18:51]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On passing down Ellington’s music:
- Stoll:
“The intent behind it is, you know, music is the art of the invisible. And Duke understood that.” [07:57]
- Stoll:
- On the beauty of jazz:
- Irby:
“It's always something you can learn from it.” [06:33]
- Irby:
- On optimism and resilience:
- Irby:
“The optimism that comes after that, it just feels so good to have that. And that's, you know, again, it's about life. And I think that's the beauty of Duke Ellington's music. It does reflect life, the good and the bad.” [17:58]
- Irby:
- On the competition spirit:
- Korn:
“Competitions are good if you use them the right way... The competition doesn't define their intent and their authenticity. So it's a proud moment...” [21:46]
- Korn:
Featured Live Performances
(All performed by the Susan E. Wagner High School Jazz Band)
- Rent Party Blues (early Ellington, classic New Orleans roots) [02:13–05:58]
- Star Crossed Lovers (1958, from Ellington’s Shakespearean suite, depicts Romeo and Juliet) [12:57–?]
- Blues a la Machito (a Latin jazz piece, reflecting expanding access to previously unavailable repertoire) [23:44–24:22]
Important Timestamps
- 00:48: Episode begins; introduction and context for Essentially Ellington & Duke Ellington’s legacy
- 01:41: Guests introduced
- 02:13: Susan E. Wagner band performs “Rent Party Blues”
- 05:58: Discussion of the performance and Ellington's approach
- 09:23: Teaching the context/history of Ellington’s music
- 10:57: Why Ellington is foundational in jazz (Irby)
- 12:38: Introduction & performance of “Star Crossed Lovers”
- 17:15: The importance of jazz education (Stoll)
- 18:51: Irby on his first exposure to Ellington
- 20:21: Korn’s strategy for engaging students in jazz
- 21:46: Honor and community-building through jazz competitions
- 22:40: Stoll explains the competition selection process
- 23:44: Introduction and context for “Blues a la Machito”
The Essence
This episode captures the vibrant spirit of youth-driven jazz and elucidates why Duke Ellington remains a pillar of American music. Through passionate discussion and stirring live student performances, it highlights both the timelessness of jazz and the profound, unifying lessons it imparts to new generations.
