Congratulating Memphis Central High School Jazz Band
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Memphis Central High School Jazz Band and Band Director Ollie Liddell for winning First Place Honors at the 30th Annual ``Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival'' at Lincoln Center in New York City on Sunday, May 11. The band was one of 127 that applied this year, competing with bands from all over the world including Japan and Spain, and was one of the 30 bands--some trained at music magnet schools or with private tutors--invited to New York. The Central High students advanced to the semifinal level where 10 were selected and then was one of the top three bands to play. Dr. Liddell has been the band's director for the past 13 years, often spending 12-hour days in the band room to give students the practice time they need--especially since many can't play in their apartment complexes or transport heavy instruments home. Overall, the band won the Best Band honors and awards for outstanding trumpet section, outstanding trombone section, outstanding rhythm section, outstanding alto saxophone soloist for student Jackson Hankins, outstanding trumpet soloist for Kingston Grandberry and outstanding trombone soloist for Marqese Cobb. The Memphis Central Jazz Band was selected to compete at ``Essentially Ellington'' in 2020 and 2021, but the competition was held virtually, so the students did not have the opportunity to travel to New York. In an interview with The Daily Memphian columnist Geoff Calkins in January, Liddell explained that many of his students arrive at the band room with no prior knowledge of jazz. He added: ``The City of Memphis is why I do what I do.'' Over the years, the numbers in the Central jazz band jumped from about 80 to the current 187. The festival in New York concluded with a concert at the Metropolitan Opera House featuring the top student ensembles and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra directed by Wynton Marsalis. Memphis is home to many talented musicians, and Central's band members have now earned international recognition--a testament to the hard work of the students and Dr. Liddell.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source