9:00am-11:00am PDT: Q&A WITH WYNTON MARSALIS AND EE ALUMNA ALEXA TARANTINO
Modeled after the traditional Essentially Ellington Luncheon, Wynton Marsalis and saxophonist, composer, educator, and Essentially Ellington alumna Alexa Tarantino will engage in a live discussion. They’ll talk about the EE program, its impact on Alexa and other students around the country, and a vision for the future of Essentially Ellington.

12:15pm-12:30pm PDT: CHEER TUNNEL
The famous cheer tunnel! Every Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Festival kicks off with Jazz at Lincoln Center staff, volunteers, and musicians cheering on each finalist band as they make their way through our halls and into Rose Theater for the first time.

12:30pm-2:00pm PDT: Q&A WITH WYNTON MARSALIS AND MEMBERS OF THE JLCO
Join finalist bands from around the country as students pick Wynton’s brain and hear from members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as well.

2:00pm-4:00pm PDT: VIRTUAL JAM SESSION
Select students from each finalist band will perform alongside the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra rhythm section, whose members recorded from home via Zoom.

Visit jazz.org/EE25 for livestream links and more details