High School Jazz Festival Celebrates the Enduring Legacy of Duke Ellington

Behind the scenes at the Metropolitan Opera House, trumpeter and educator Wynton Marsalis observed intently as the Osceola County School for the Arts big band from Kissimmee, Florida performed Dizzy Gillespie’s challenging composition "Things to Come." This piece demands not only technical skill but also the ability to blend speed, intensity, and precision.

During the performance, the school’s lead trumpet player delivered a polished solo, displaying a professional level of control and range. Marsalis noted that the band director signaled the ensemble to hold back the background instruments, allowing the soloist space to build his performance gradually.

The director’s subtle cues brought a fresh dynamic to a chart that Marsalis has undoubtedly encountered countless times, demonstrating how jazz thrives on spontaneous choices that keep each rendition unique.

Nearly one hundred years ago, Duke Ellington’s orchestra became the resident band at the Cotton Club on 142nd Street. Despite playing to all-white audiences, Ellington’s performances demanded complete silence and attentive listening, with any disruptions swiftly addressed.

Ellington’s compositions were tailored to the distinctive talents of his band members, such as saxophonist Johnny Hodges and trumpeter Cootie Williams, whose unique sounds he believed could not be replicated by others.