Tucson Jazz Music Foundation's partnership with The Century Room allows student jazz bands - like the Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band - to perform in Tucson's celebrated jazz club. This band features some outstanding soloists and we are proud of everyone's accomplishments. This is their last public performance for the 2023-2024 school year and we big farewell to three seniors: Helen Wilson/bari, Leo Stealey-Euchner/sax, and Zayden Morgan/drums (not appearing in this performance). These student musicians are our best 'fundraisers.' Congratulations on a stellar performance! And a special thank you to Michael Weiss, guest clinician in April, who shared two of his arrangements with the band: Vicissitudes and Mean What You Say. And a very special thank you to all the donors who made it possible for the Foundation to purchase a new YAMAHA S5X 6'7" for The Century Room played in this performance by Jacob Nguyen.

Always excited to provide EVIDENCE of Tucson Jazz Institute's talented students. Four in the TJI Ellington Band members are on full scholarship -- keeping the band whole and swingin'. tjmfdn.org to donate.

Thank you to everyone involved in the production of this video clip -- the musicians, the film crew & editor, the audio team, and those in the audience who applauded with great enthusiasm. The Tucson Jazz Music Foundation would also like to thank its many generous donors who enable us to sponsor projects like this one.

Wow. I can't believe I got to be in a band like this, even for just a semester. I feel so incredibly lucky.