E.B.H.S. JAZZ BAND WINS DISTRICTS
Eddyville-Blakesburg Schools
On Saturday, March 6th, the Eddyville / Blakesburg High School Jazz Band placed 1st in class 2A at the South East Iowa Bandmasters Association District Jazz Contest in Iowa City. The 1st and 2nd place bands from each class qualify for the Iowa Jazz Championships, which is held in Des Moines on April 12th. This is the 25th year in a row that the E.B.H.S. Jazz Band has qualified for the Jazz Championships. Eddyville / Blakesburg placed 1st ahead of Mid-Prairie, West Branch, West Liberty, Iowa Valley, West Burlington, Louisa – Muscatine, Highland, and Davis County in class 2A competition.
Every one of the band’s soloists received an Outstanding Soloist Award for
their solo performances. Outstanding Soloist Awards went to: Brooke Lunsford; alto saxophone, Tanner Powers; piano & vibes, Anna Haselhuhn; trumpet, Kai Ishida; vibes, C.J. Gordy; tenor saxophone, Heath Rice; trombone, Jacob Lane; Tenor Sax, and Kyle Taylor; drums. Brooke Lunsford was honored by being selected as the Outstanding Soloist of the Day in Class 2A competition for the 3rd year in a row. The band was also honored with an Outstanding Sax Section Award. The band is directed by Joe Overton.
The EBHS Jazz Band will compete at the Iowa Jazz Championships on April 12th at the Convention Center in Des Moines. Friends and supporters of the band are encouraged to attend and lend your vocal support. They will also be part of the Night of Jazz at the Daily Auditorium in Oskaloosa along with the award winning bands from Oskaloosa and North Mahaska on Thursday March 31st. Everyone is also invited to the Jazz Concert on Thursday March 17th at Eddyville Blakesburg High School featuring the junior high and high school jazz bands. The concert starts at 7:00.
