Hoover First Edition Jazz Ensemble named finalist in 2025 Essentially Ellington Competition

Hoover First Edition Jazz Ensemble is headed to NYC. (Sallie White)

Cue the cymbals! The Hoover First Edition Jazz Ensemble is a finalist in the 2025 Essentially Ellington Competition, one of the most prestigious high school jazz competitions in the world.

Read on for more, including the acclaimed artist helping them prep for the event this May in New York City.

About the Essential Ellington Competition

The Essentially Ellington Competition is one of the world’s most prestigious high school jazz competitions.

This year, a record 127 schools from across the world submitted to the competition.

It’s no easy task to become a finalist either. According to a press release, the Hoover First Edition Jazz Ensemble has submitted over 20 times to the competition since 2001, when the director, Sallie Vines White, first learned of it.

This year marks the competition’s 30th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, the program has made some exciting changes, including:

• Doubling the number of bands selected for the finals from 15 to 30
• Allowing international bands to compete

The length of the program has also been extended from three days to five, giving bands more time to participate in competitions, jam sessions, workshops and rehearsals.

Professional direction from jazz drummer Steve Fidyk

To help the ensemble prep for the competition, they’ll get some vital direction from a professional musician. Jazz drummer Steve Fidyk, who has earned national and international acclaim as an artist, author, composer and columnist, will visit Hoover High School on Thursday, April 3.

Fidyk will help set students in the ensemble up for success and address their individual needs to ensure they are ready for the big competition ahead.

Why Hoover First Edition Jazz Ensemble stand out

This isn’t the first time the Hoover First Edition Jazz Ensemble has performed in a prestigious event. Check out some of the cool things they have been part of:

• Performed at the Midwest Clinic, Jazz Education Network Conference + Loyola Jazz Festival
• Opened for Wynton Marsalis + the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
• Received national recognition through their selection as a finalist in the Savannah Music Festival wing Central Contest

Hoover High School’s First Edition Ensemble will take part in the program from May 7-11 in New York City. The final concert and awards ceremony will be held on May 11 at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Join us in wishing them good luck!

For more news around Birmingham, follow us on social @bhamnow.