The Mid-Prairie Jazz Band competed at the Jazz Band Festival at Clear Creek Amana on Saturday, January 28. Under the direction of David Kunz, the group earned a Division 1 rating for their performance of Outback Blues, Aria, and Red Clay.  

Jazz Band members include saxophone players, Dillon Poole, Annika Poll, Madison Davidson, Jacob Flynn, and Joe Hall.

Performing on the trombone were Jarrett TeBockhorst, Dade Gehling, and Isabelle Duvall. Joining in the brass family were trumpets Jacob Carrillo, Emily Righter, Isadora Goode, Aliza Parks, and Eli Conrad.

The rhythm section included Logan McClellen on piano, Arthur Righter on bass guitar, Andrew Stultz on drums, Grace Conway on vibes, and Jillian Clark on guitar.

Judges evaluated group performances on criteria such as tone, keeping time, and rhythm. Senior Jazz Band member, Emily Righter, explains, “They’re also looking for how we interpret the pieces. There’s a lot of history in jazz, and we want to play it in a way that represents it well.”

The Mid-Prairie Jazz Band is currently preparing for the Coe College Jazz Summit in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, February 25.