There are 5 article(s) tagged Essentially Ellington:

• May 2025

  • Gallery: Celebrating the Central High School jazz band

    The Central High School jazz band won the Essentially Ellington contest at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York. 

    By The Daily Memphian Staff May 30, 2025

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

    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.

    By Geoff Calkins May 16, 2025

  • Calkins: Central’s jazz band is playing Lincoln Center. And it’s thanks to y’all.

    Ollie Liddell, the director of bands at Central High, wasn’t sure how his jazz band would get to the Essentially Ellington contest at Lincoln Center. Then Memphians came through for him.

    By Geoff Calkins May 12, 2025

  • Calkins: Central High lights up the stage — and advances to finals in New York.

    The Central High jazz band continued to blaze through New York, advancing to the finals of the Essentially Ellington contest. Said Ollie Liddell, the band’s director: “We play with the spirt of the city, man.” 

    By Geoff Calkins May 12, 2025

• January 2025

  • Calkins: Want to feel better about MSCS? I give you Ollie Liddell and his fabulous band.

    Hundreds of high school jazz bands audition from all over the world to be invited to the Essentially Ellington contest in May. Only 30 bands make it — and guess where one of them is from. 

    By Geoff Calkins January 23, 2025