The Texas Regional Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival

A High School Jazz Festival for schools all across the South!

2026 Registration Coming Soon

“Playing the EE library has really helped me be exposed to many artists and of course all of Duke Ellington’s amazing music.”

— Riley, Trombone

“[EE] has been a great experience for our students and it is really an honor to get to play all of this music year after year. ”

— Dave, Director

“I love being able to learn a huge variety of music and new styles. Some of the music is really catchy so I get to dance along as I play as well. ”

— Kaitlyn, Trumpet

What is The Texas Regional Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival?

Jazz Houston is proud to partner with Jazz at Lincoln Center, The University of Houston, and Texas Southern University to bring its internationally-acclaimed Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Festival to Houston. This one-day festival will feature an all-star lineup of clinicians. In addition to performance and written comments, participating bands will receive a workshop from one of the festival clinicians, as well as the opportunity to attend instrument/section-specific master classes.