JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the award-winning El Cerrito High School Jazz Ensemble is part of a dynamic band program that holds a long tradition of excellence. In its over 50-year history, the El Cerrito Jazz Ensemble has been recognized as one of California’s top high school jazz bands and has performed in venues throughout the United States and abroad. Led by El Cerrito alumnus, Keith Johnson, the El Cerrito Jazz Ensemble has earned top ratings and first place awards at numerous jazz festivals across the west coast and have been regular finalists at Monterey’s Next Generation Jazz Festival. Over the past 10 years the group has hosted and performed alongside prominent jazz artists that include Chris Potter, Wycliffe Gordon, Alan Ferber, John Daversa, Donny McCaslin, Eric Harland, and Terell Stafford, among others. Notable performances include appearances at the Monterey Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Jazz á Vienne, and Umbria Jazz Festival. The El Cerrito Jazz Ensemble has twice been selected as featured performers for both the CMEA Bay Section Winter Conference (2020 and 2024) and California All-State Music Education Conference (2014 and 2024).

Recent Awards and Notable Performances

2023-24
    • 1st Place: Campana Jazz Festival, AA Division
    • Featured ensemble at the 2024 California All-State Music Education Conference
    • 1st Place: Folsom Jazz Festival, AAA Division
    • Sweepstakes Winner: Folsom Jazz Festival
    • Finalist: Folsom Jazz Festival (top 5 bands)
    • Unanimous Superior Award: CMEA Jazz Festival
    • Showcase ensemble at the 2024 CMEA Bay Section Conference
2022-23
    • Performance at Jazz á Vienne Festival (France)
    • Performance at Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy)
    • Finalist; California Jazz Championships (top 5 bands)
    • 3rd Place: California Jazz Championships
    • 2nd Place: Campana Jazz Festival, AA Division
    • Unanimous Superior Award: CMEA Jazz Festival
    • 3rd Place: Folsom Jazz Festival, AAA Division
    • Finalist: Folsom Jazz Festival (top 5 bands)
2021-22
    • 3rd Place: Campana Jazz Festival, AA Division
    • Unanimous Superior Award: CMEA Jazz Festival
    • 2nd Place: Folsom Jazz Festival, AAA Division
2019-20
    • Showcase ensemble at the 2020 CMEA Bay Section Conference
    • 4th Place: Folsom Jazz Festival, AA Division
2018-19
    • 1st Place; Reno Jazz Festival B Division
    • Finalist; Next Generation Jazz Festival
    • Command Performance; El Cerrito Jazz Festival
    • 2nd Place; Folsom Jazz Festival, A Division
2017-18
    • Performance at 61st Annual Monterey Jazz Festival (Calif.)
    • Performance at Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy)
    • Performance at the Montruex Jazz Festival (Switzerland)
    • Performance at Jazz á Vienne Festival (France)
    • 1st Place; Reno Jazz Festival B Division
    • 3rd Place; Next Generation Jazz Festival, High School Big Band Division *
    • Finalist; Next Generation Jazz Festival
    • 1st Place; Folsom Jazz Festival, AA Division

* By placing in the top three high school bands, the Jazz Ensemble was invited to perform at the 61st Monterey Jazz Festival 

2016-17
    • 3rd Place; Reno Jazz Festival A Division
    • Finalist; Next Generation Jazz Festival
    • 3rd Place; Folsom Jazz Festival, AA Division
    • 2nd Place; Delta Jazz Festival, Advanced Division
2015-16
    • 1st Place; Heritage Anaheim Festival
    • Adjudicator & Sweepstakes Award; Heritage Anaheim Festival
    • 2nd Place; Folsom Jazz Festival AA Division
    • Unanimous Superior Award: CMEA Jazz Festival
2014-2015
    • 2nd Place; Reno Jazz Festival, B Division
    • Finalist; Next Generation Jazz Festival
    • Command Performance; El Cerrito Jazz Festival
    • 3rd Place; Folsom Jazz Festival, AA Division
    • 1st Place; Delta Jazz Festival, Advanced Division
2013-2014
    • Performance at Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy)
    • Performance at the Montruex Jazz Festival (Switzerland)
    • Performance at North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands)
    • Featured Ensemble California All-State Music Education Conference
    • 1st Place & Showcase Participant; Reno Jazz Festival A Division
    • 1st Place; Folsom Jazz Festival AA Division
    • Finalist; Folsom Jazz Festival AA Division (top 4 bands)
    • Unanimous Superior Award: CMEA Jazz Festival
    • 1st Place; Delta Jazz Festival, Advanced Division
2012-2013
    • 2nd Place; Folsom Jazz Festival AAAA Division
    • Unanimous Superior Award: CMEA Jazz Festival
    • 3rd Place; Delta Jazz Festival
2011-2012
    • 3rd Place; Reno Jazz Festival B Division
    • Gold Award; Heritage Vancouver Festival
    • Adjudicator’s Award; Heritage Vancouver Festival
    • Sweepstakes Award; Heritage Vancouver Festival
    • Unanimous Superior Award; CMEA Jazz Festival
2010-2011
    • Command Performance; Santa Cruz Jazz Festival
    • Unanimous Superior; CMEA Jazz Festival
2009-2010
    • 1st Place & Showcase Participant; Reno Jazz Festival B Division
    • 1st Place & Finals Participant; Folsom Jazz Festival AA Division
    • 1st Place; Delta Jazz Festival, Advanced Division
    • Unanimous Superior Award; CMEA Jazz Festival