DesertView Performing Arts System

The Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band directed by Brice Winston, is comprised of high school musicians from the greater Tucson area including Nogales who study at this award-winning community music school. This TJI big band, loved for their swinging and energetic big band sounds, is the #1 High School Big Band placing in the top three 8 years in row at the prestigious national Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Competition presided over by Wynton Marsalis. They were named the Best Community Jazz Band in the Annual Student Music Awards in DownBeat Magazine in five of the last ten years. The Tucson Jazz Institute teaches middle school students on Saturdays and hight school students on Sundays. They study jazz improvisation in small group classes (combos) and swing era music in big bands. TJI has about 100 students and gives many children an outlet they would not have otherwise. Over 90% of their graduates get substantial college scholarships. Their alumni attend some of the most prestigious schools in the nation including Julliard, the Manhattan School of Music, The New England Conservatory, Princeton, USC and Swarthmore (many on scholarship) and have gone on to major careers in jazz music. To learn more about the Tucson Jazz Institute, visit their website tucsonjazzinstitute.com