Darien High School Jazz Ensemble Places 3rd at Berklee College Jazz Festival

DHS Jazz Band Places 3rd at Berklee Jazz Fest!

The Darien High School Jazz Ensemble placed third in their division at the Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival in Boston on Saturday, February 10.  The Berklee Jazz Festival is the largest high school Jazz festival in the country and featured nearly 200 competing bands and ensembles from 138 participating schools from 15 states including Illinois, Puerto Rico, Florida and even as far away as California.

The Darien Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jonathan Grauer performed three selections, “Lu’s Blues,” “Better Get Hit in Your Soul,” and “Whiplash.” Mr. Grauer commented, “I am very pleased with our performance on Saturday. Our kids really worked hard and it showed in their performance. This is the highest that we have ever placed at this Festival.” Darien drummer Anan Durango received the ensemble’s outstanding soloist award for his solo work on “Whiplash.”

The Darien HS Jazz Ensemble has upcoming performances at the Darien Jazz Jamboree on March 2, the Norwalk Jazz Festival on March 9, the King Jazz Festival in Stamford on March 11 and the Greenwich Ellington Jazz festival on March 24.

The DHS Jazz Ensemble performing at the Berklee Jazz Festival in Boston on Saturday, February 10.

The Darien HS Jazz Ensemble will be hosting the Darien Jazz Jamboree Invitational Jazz Festival on Friday, March 2 at Darien HS.

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