Mountlake Terrace High jazz musicians honored during Essentially Ellington festival

Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz Ensemble 1 musicians were recognized Saturday, May 2, for outstanding musicianship at the 2026 Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival and Competition in New York. Four individuals and one section took home top honors.

Those receiving individual outstanding awards were Wyatt Gutting, senior, for trombone; Luca Manzo, junior, for drums; Sophie Ionitsa, sophomore, for piano and Claire Dalan, sophomore, for doubler (clarinet and tenor saxophone). In addition, the rhythm section received an outstanding rhythm section award. The section consists of Travis Acheson, senior, on bass; Liam Rees, senior, on drums; Luca Manzo on drums; Sophie Ionitsa on piano; Gabriel Gonzalez, sophomore, on guitar; and Autumn Holt, sophomore, on vibraphone. Jazz trumpeter and legend Wynton Marsalis handed out the awards to the winners.

“I am very proud of the performance that Jazz 1 delivered, but equally proud of the camaraderie and support that the musicians have for each other,” said MTHS Band Director Darin Faul. “These kids enthusiastically supported each band performing. Yes, it’s a competition between jazz bands from across the country, but it’s also about the experiences over three days that creates community among the musicians that continues long after the competition ends.”

Mountlake Terrace Jazz 1 is an 11-time finalist in the Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Competition. During the competition in New York City May 1, Mountlake Terrace played a lively set to an enthusiastic crowd, performing Lindy Hopper’s Delight, Reverie and Old Man Blues.

In addition to the 20 jazz band performances at the jazz competition, all jazz musicians and band directors participate in a variety of programs including a Q&A and open rehearsal with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO); instrumental masterclasses and rehearsals with JLCO members; and dinner and jam sessions with other finalists, band directors and professional musicians.

The top three bands recognized during the Festival Saturday night were: Osceola County School for the Arts, Kissimmee, Florida, first place; Orange County School of the Arts
Santa Ana, California, second place and Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts,
West Palm Beach, Florida, third place.

You can watch Mountlake Terrace Jazz 1’s complete performance on the Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz YouTube Channel. You can view behind the scenes Essentially Ellington photos and videos on the Mountlake Terrace High School Band Facebook and Instagram pages.

Jazz bands from Shorewood and Bothell high schools also performed at this year’s Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival. Both bands were recognized for the individual and sectional musicianship.