More than 20 bands performed May 6 at the Coronado High School’s CoSA JazzFest in the Band Room, Main and Black Box Theaters.
The noon-time San Diego State Jazz Band concert was the big hit of the day, performing before several hundred fans in the Main Theater.
Karl Soukup, former CoSA instructor and current Interim Director of the SDSU Jazz program, welcomed the return of the event which had been postponed since 2019 because of COVID.
“I am just so happy it is back, after the pandemic, and to see all the smiling jazz students out there, just absorbing the energy of the concert,” Soukup said.
Huntington Beach Jazz Band Director Greg Gilboe, whose band has competed in the Coronado JazzFest many times, said he was thrilled to be back.
“The atmosphere here is very positive for all the jazz players, more than any of the other jazz festivals in which we play,” Gilboe said.
One of the judges noted the “Coronado Jazz ensembles were nicely prepared with a great choice of literature (songs). And they were attentive to the judges’ comments and suggestions about their performances.”
Here’s a breakdown of the awards:
Advanced High School:
1st: Valley Center High School Jazz Band (Unanimous Superior)
2nd: Poway High School Jazz A (Unanimous Superior)
3rd: Del Norte High School Jazz A (Unanimous Superior)
Intermediate High School:
1st: The Bishop’s School Honors Combo (Unanimous Superior)
2nd: Poway High School Jazz B (Unanimous Superior)
3rd: Costa Mesa Jazz I (Unanimous Superior)
Novice High School:
1st: Huntington Beach High School Jazz Lab Band (Unanimous Superior)
2nd: Del Norte Nighthawk Lab Jazz (Unanimous Superior)
3rd: 32nd St. Jazz Band – St. Augustine High School (Excellent)
Middle School:
1st: Valley Center Middle School Jazz Band (Unanimous Superior)
2nd: Hollencrest Middle School Jazz Band (Excellent)
Submitted by Andy Koczon
