The Bloomington North Advanced Jazz Band (Jazz 1) took home and Superior rating and top honors at the 40th Annual Great Plains Jazz Festival held this past weekend in Omaha, NE. Named Outstanding Soloists of the festival were Hannah Fidler (bass), David Hunt (alto saxophone), Miro Sobrer (trombone) and Sadie Johnson (guitar). North also entered five combos which all earned Superior ratings. Named Outstanding Soloists in the combo room were Fidler, Johnson, and Lydia Elmer (vocalist).

Soloist awards were also earned by: Kevin Kostelecky, Chris Parker, Stefan Lenthe, Evan Main, David Burke, Jimmy Ryan, Hans Riess, Chris Alexeev, Carl Factora, Jacob Gates, and Ian VanArsdel.

Ms. Stockhouse reports that the adjudicators and the host college director were VERY impressed. Furthermore, the local NPR station manager was KNOCKED OUT by our combos and bands and wants to broadcast several of our tunes on their recap show of the festival this coming March!

The group made the 4-day trip to Omaha by bus, stopping by St. Louis for lunch, and staying one night in Kansas City, where they went to the American Jazz Museum and attended a latin/salsa night at the Blue Room. Combos performed in Omaha on Friday, while Jazz 1 played on Saturday. The guest artists of the festival were Doc Severinsen, long-time leader of the Tonight Show Band, and Dave Pietro (alto saxophone). After the finale concert, the victorious Cougars drove through the night, reaching home Sunday morning.