Calkins: Incredibly, the Central High jazz band did it. They won the whole thing.

Geoff Calkins On Demand: Just Posted

Updated: May 12, 2025 10:53 AM CT

The Central High jazz band did it. They defeated bands from across the country — and around the world — to win the Essentially Ellington contest in New York. And, yes, there were many tears.

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Columnist

Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.

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