That’s the Jazz Band from Denny International Middle School, whose principal Jeff Clark reports that they’re one of three local student jazz bands just back from a big trip:

I am very pleased to share that this morning the Chief Sealth International High School Jazz Combo, the Denny International Middle School Jazz Band, and the West Seattle High School Jazz Band returned home from what has been a phenomenal weekend of music and workshops at the University of Idaho. This is the second year that ensembles from the three schools have traveled together for this festival.

The middle school band performed Thursday afternoon at the LDS Student Stake Center in Moscow, with the high school ensembles performed on Saturday. All three groups received critiques from well-respected jazz educators and had the opportunity to participate in numerous workshops touching upon issues from leadership development, to improvisation, to instrument fundamentals.

On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights the students attended star-studded concerts featuring a host of national recording artists and touring professionals including three National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Masters – Benny Golson, Eddie Palmieri, and Sheila Jordan.

The Denny International Middle School Jazz Band was awarded a Noteworthy Performance commendation on the festivals Outstanding Young Artists site for their performance Thursday night.

Congratulations to all of these outstanding musicians!

Before school’s out for the year, you’ll have more chances to see local student musicians perform in the area – next one on our calendar is this coming Friday night at the West Seattle High School Big Band Dinner Dance; details here.