The Beloit Memorial High School Jazz Orchestra recently garnered several awards at the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival and Competition in New York City.

Band Director Chris Behrens says they brought home several individual recognitions including Sarah Ramsden for outstanding baritone sax, Tony Severson for outstanding bass, and Jonathan Garrett for outstanding drums.

Behrens says Kai (like hi) Wong also won the Ella Fitzgerald Award for his play on the piano, an award which is given out to the top soloist performer in the entire competition.

In total, the band had eight members receive top awards or honorable mentions for their performances.