East Jazz Ensemble selected as finalist for NYC competition

The Williamsville East High School Jazz Ensemble is among 15 finalist bands from across the country selected to compete in the 12th annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival to be held at the Lincoln Center in New York City, May 4-6.

Twenty student band members from East will travel to New York City to perform selected works of Duke Ellington. Judges will include jazz sensation and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Wynton Marsalis.

Members of the East Jazz Ensemble participating in the Essentially Ellington competition are: Seniors: Pooja Bakhai, Emily Cogsdill, Eric Mahl, Mike Metzger, Andrea Pacella, Arjun Pravin, James Ryan, Dan White and Ioannis Mountziaris. Also, juniors: Justin Bartkowski, Alexas Esposito, Nicole Favale, Dom Missana, Dave Rundell, Dan Ziemann and sophomores: Neha Bakhai, Griff Kazmierczak, Jerome Luo and Luke Wachob. Freshman Max Lustig is also an ensemble member.

Stephen Shewan is the director of East's Jazz Ensemble.

The ensemble has been seeking grants to help the students attend the trip because the district does not have funding available.

"Businesses and private organizations have responded with donations so there will be as little financial obligation to kids as possible," Shewan said. "The community has been very generous."

Any group or individual interested in sponsoring the Jazz Ensemble can call Shewan at 626-8425 or e-mail sshewan@williamsvillek12.org.

Donations can be sent to: Attention Steven Shewan, East High School, 151 Paradise Road, East Amherst.