On Saturday, March 4th, the Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont High School Jazz Band placed 1st in class 2A at the South East Iowa Bandmasters Association District Jazz Contest in Iowa City. The 1st and 2nd place bands from each class qualify for the Iowa Jazz Championships, which will be held at Iowa State University on April 4th. This is the 31st year in a row that the E.B.F.H.S. Jazz Band has qualified for the Jazz Championships.

Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont placed 1st ahead of Mid-Prairie, West Branch, West Burlington, Louisa – Muscatine, in class 2A competition.
Several students received an Outstanding Soloist Award for their solo performances. Outstanding Soloist Awards went to: Grace Manternach; flute, Delanee Van Zante; alto sax, Claire Jager, Alto Sax, Cyrus Rogers; tenor sax, Briana Ver Steegh; tenor sax, Sara Loving; trumpet, Maggie Voyles; piano, Dillon Howard; drums, Julia Fairchild; vibes, and Riley Bayliss; guitar. The EBF Sax Section and Trumpet Section received Outstanding Section Awards for their great performance. Delanee Van Zante was selected as the Outstanding Overall Soloist of the Day for her solo performances. The band is directed by Joe Overton.
The EBFHS Jazz Band will perform in concert with the junior high jazz band on Tuesday March 14th at the EBFHS Cafetorium at 7:00 P.M. The band will also appear at the Night of Jazz at the Daily Auditorium in Oskaloosa on March 31st with the bands from Oskaloosa and North Mahaska. EBFHS Jazz I will compete at the Iowa Jazz Championships at Iowa State University in Ames on April 4th. The band performs at 10:00 in class 2A competition. Friends and supporters of the band are encouraged to attend and lend your support.

Story provided by Joe Overton