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For the second year in a row, the Berkeley High Jazz Band came away as winners of the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Annual National High School Jazz Competition. The event, held last weekend in Monterey, is the premier jazz band competition nation-wide and featured jazz band from across the country. 

The high school’s jazz band, under the direction of Charles Hamilton, beat out the Los Angeles County School for the Arts and Brethren Christian High School from Huntington Beach to claim first place.  

“We weren’t so sure we were going to make it into the finals but once we were in and heard the other bands, I sorta’ knew we were going to win,” said Raffi Garabedian, a sophomore who plays tenor sax. 

Band members said their win was in large part due to Hamilton, who they said has continually been an inspiration. 

“Our director, he’s got soul,” said Eric Ashkenas, a sophomore who plays alto sax. “He leaves it in our hands to decide whether we like the songs. He gives us a lot of freedom, so it’s basically the kids creating music and he’s giving direction.” 

Besides tight execution, the band said a large part of the win was thoughtful selection of their music pieces. Unlike some of the other bands, the Berkeley High group picked several complicated and intricate pieces. On the list were Caravan by Duke Ellington, Goodbye Porkpie Hat by Charles Mingus, and a Latin piece called Cabeza de Carne. 

Several members of the band were also individually recognized, including pianist Jullian Pollack, who won a scholarship to the University of the Pacific summer program. Pollack also won an award for outstanding soloist. 

Several of the musicians were named to the festival’s All-Star High School Big Band (including trombonist Danny Lubin-Laden, this writer’s cousin) and will be traveling with the band throughout Japan this summer. The entire Berkeley High Jazz band will also be invited to perform during the 47th annual Monterey Jazz Festival this September. 

For those who missed the competition but still want to see the band (or just want to come out to support them) they will be performing April 18 as part of a gala at the Berkeley Rep. The concert will be a benefit brunch sponsored by Downtown Restaurant and will offer gourmet food and wine as well as a silent auction. All the proceeds will benefit the Berkeley High music program. For more information and for tickets, contact 527-8245.›