Charles Mingus Festival & High School Competition February 16-19, 2024
The 16th annual event celebrates the musical genius of a jazz legend
Showcases dozens of talented high school students from across the US

NEW YORK, NY, December 22, 2023 — Top high school students from across the United States will celebrate the music of the great jazz bassist and composer Charles Mingus (1922-1979) as part of the 16th Annual Charles Mingus Festival & High School Competition taking place at The New School of Jazz in New York City. Details for the full weekend festival taking place February 16- 19, 2024, can be found at charlesmingus.org.

The event is organized and presented annually by Let My Children Hear Music/The Charles Mingus Institute and by Dr. Keller Coker and The New School of Jazz, with support from Jazz Workshop, Inc.

In categories for both big bands and combos, twelve finalist ensembles will be featured in this year’s festival. Entrants come from all over the country including California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, and North Carolina.

On Saturday, February 17th, students will explore aspects of Mingus’ music in instrumental clinics, workshops, lectures, and films at The New School of Jazz’s Arnhold Hall at 55 West 13th Street. The day will conclude with Mingus jam sessions for high school student participants.

On Sunday, February 18th, the Mingus Competition is a full day of concert performances by combos and big bands in Tishman Auditorium at 63 Fifth Avenue. Sunday evening, outstanding soloists from the Competition will be invited to sit in with the Mingus Big Band at Drom.

“Charles Mingus music contains multitudes,” said Festival founder and NEA Jazz Master Sue Mingus, who formed the first Mingus repertory group Mingus Dynasty in 1979 and oversaw the performance and publishing of Mingus music until her retirement. The genius of Mingus’ compositions – which, along with his scores, correspondence, original manuscripts, and more, were acquired by the Library of Congress in 1993 – have given Mingus' music a life beyond his performances and recordings. The Mingus organizations are now managed by Sue's son, Roberto Ungaro, and the team of devoted musicians and creatives she mentored in her lifetime.

“The festival gives outstanding students around the country a chance to perform on their level and enriches their school programs,” says co-founder Justin DiCioccio. “It’s great for students to be challenged by this music and to form networks with other outstanding jazz musicians. For the serious student, these are going to be their peers for the rest of their lives.”

For press inquiries: education@charlesmingus.org

FINALISTS OF THE CHARLES MINGUS HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION

BIG BAND CATEGORY

Newton South High School Jazz Ensemble, Newton, MA. Band Director: Lisa Linde

William H. Hall High School Concert Jazz Band, West Hartford, CT. Band Director: James Antonucci

Enloe Jazz Ambassadors Big Band, Raleigh, NC. Band Director: Robert C. Hunter

BIG BAND CATEGORY - Specialized Schools and Programs

Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, New York, NY. Band Director: Tatum Greenblatt

Jazz House Big Band, Montclair, NJ. Band Director: Nathan Eklund

COMBO CATEGORY

Enloe Jazz Ambassadors Combo, Raleigh, NC. Band Director: Robert C. Hunter

The Rivers Select 1 Combo, Weston, MA. Band Director: Philippe Crettien

Rio Americano Combo 1, Sacramento, CA. Band Director: Josh Murray

COMBO CATEGORY - Specialized Schools and Program

Mary Lou Williams Combo, New York, NY. Band Director: Timothy Norton

Thelonious Monk Combo, New York, NY. Band Director: Willerm Delisfort

Jazz House Ambassadors, Montclair, NJ. Band Director: Mike Lee

SELF-DIRECTED COMBO CATEGORY

BC Quintet, Seattle, WA. Self-Directed