Saturday evening, Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park partnered with WineStyles to host Dig that Jazz! The proceeds from the concert went to benefit the Edmonds Woodway High School Jazz Ensemble, one of the Northwest’s premier high school jazz groups. WineStyles provided a great selection in their wine garden, and a delectable light fare was served by Kristonis Catering of Seattle.

Our appreciation goes to The Edmonds Woodway Jazz Ensemble, WineStyles, and Kristonis Catering for making this benefit possible!

From the Triple Door description:
“The Edmonds-Woodway High School Jazz Ensemble 1 has established itself as one of the Northwest’s premier high school jazz groups and a key part in the successful Edmonds-Woodway Music Department. They are past participants in the Essentially Ellington Contest in 2003 and 2007, Montreaux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, and the Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz Concert Series. The group perfoms entertaining, mature music without a heavy emphasis on attending many local competitions.

When attending contests, the band fairs well. Student recognition has included Outstanding Tenor Sax, Pianist, and Bass Player at the Essentially Ellington Contest. Also, at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, EWHS has been recognized as Outstanding Rhythm Section, Outstanding Combo (over the past several consecutive years), as well as Outstanding AAAA Big Band.

Past guest artists and lecturers include Jeff Hamilton, Bobby Shrew, Phil Woods, Eric Alexander, Aaron Parks, Allen Vizutti, Victor Goines, Marcus Printup, Andre Hayward, Wessel Anderson, Walter Blanding Jr., Brian Lynch and many others. Students rehearse at 6:30 AM daily and are also playing in the co-requisite classical ensembles as part of the greater Music Department recently acknowledged a Grammy Signature School for Outstanding Music Department. This year, two of the players—Devon Yesberger (piano) and Christian Anderson (baritone sax)—were selected to represent Washington State in the All-Northwest Jazz Ensemble performing at the annual convention held in Spokane, Washington.

Jake Bergevin is in his ninth year as director of the Edmonds-Woodway High School Instrumental program. An active performer as trumpeter and vocalist, he is also in demand as a clinician and adjudicator. He received his BM and Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance from Central Washington University. He has produced and recorded two CDs as a leader and vocalist, the most recent receiving generous national airplay. Mr. Bergevin was formerly Vice President for the Washington Chapter of IAJE. He lives in Everett with his wife and two sons.”

The EWHS Jazz Ensemble includes…

On the saxophones: Robby Suydam, Sophie Roben, Chrtistian Anderson, Leah Houghton, Andrew Wells, Dominic Forbush, Gabe Judd, and Elizabeth Melnikas.

On the trumpets: Patrick Brady, Eric Dubbury, Melanie Llona, Stefan Carlson, and Conner Ryan.

On the trombones: Matt Miller, Milan Beard, Ian Almacen, and Bryan Bulmer.

The rhythm section: Diana Rypkema (bass), Devon Yesberger (piano), Robby Seager (drumset), and Loren Fuell (guitar).