North Mahaska Jazz Band Set To Compete For Title

North Mahaska Warhawks

The North Mahaska Jazz Band ( NM Jazz ) will once again compete for the title in Class 1A at the iowa Jazz Championships to be held Tuesday, April 10th at the newly renovated Vet’s Auditorium in Des Moines. NM Jazz earned their 22nd Division One rating in a row at their IHSMA Contest in Tiffin back on Jan. 14, they placed 1st at Simpson Jazzfest on Jan. 27, placed 1st at Indianola Jazz Experience on Feb. 18 and most recently placed 1st at their Districts Jazz Contest on March 3rd. NM Jazz won Class 1A in 2009 and 2011 at the Iowa Jazz Championships. The top two bands out of the 15 who qualify to compete in each class perform on the Civic Center Stage in the evening of the contest to be judged and placed 1st or 2nd. NM Jazz has placed in the top three 10 of the last 11 years.

Every soloists in the band has received and outstanding soloist award at least once. Sarah McGriff was awarded outstanding soloist of the Class at Districts on her trumpet. Other soloist awards went to Julia Groenenboom on trombone, Kris Chamberlain on trumpet and flugelhorn, Jenna Carrico on alto sax, Andy Peiffer on drums, Alyssa Comstock on tenor sax, Kylie Roozeboom on trombone, Lindsay Foster on flute and Megan Goemaat on trumpet.

NM Jazz will perform at the following venues in the coming future. Adventureland Inn Restaurant ( playing the break of the Des Moines Big Band ) on Monday March 12; a home concert Thursday, March 15 at 6:30; the Oskaloosa Night of Jazz on Friday, March 30 beginning at 7:00 and then April 10th at the Championships.