August this year, JMI and Jazz at Lincoln Center brought Essentially Ellington to Australia to deliver the first nationwide Essentially Ellington Down Under Regional Festival (EE Down Under). With Jazz at Lincoln Center clinicians Vince Gardner and Reggie Thomas, EE Down Under featured a high school big band festival in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney where each participating ensemble received a workshop from either Vince or Reggie. These were followed up by a full day professional development workshop aimed towards music teachers and band directors in each city. In total, the festival had over 600 kids, 30 high school ensembles, over 100 teachers adn directors in 4 cities – a fantastic result!
