About this episode
This year marks the thirtieth annual Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington festival , where high school big bands from around the country are selected to compete and perform. But this year, in honor of the anniversary, Jazz at Lincoln Center opened applications up to schools around the world, and bands from Australia, Japan, and Spain were selected to participate. To help preview the festival, students from the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music big band , selected this year, perform some live numbers in WNYC's studio. Plus, Penelope Smetters-Jacono , director of Bands at Celia Cruz, and Todd Stoll , Jazz at Lincoln Center Vice President of Education, discuss the importance of education in jazz. Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington festival is open to the public May 7-11.