The Fox JazzFest Education committee and Henri's Music are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 High School Jazz Improvisation Competition. This competition was open to all high school instrumentalists and vocalists in a seven county region of Northeast Wisconsin.  The first place winner, saxophonist Eric Schultz of Ashwaubenon High School, and second place winner drummer Mike Malone of Oshkosh West High School, will perform with a professional jazz trio at the free Fox Jazz Fest Labor day weekend at Jefferson Park in Menasha. Saxophonist Jeff Ting of Neenah High School was awarded third place honors in the competition.  In addition all three students will receive monetary awards from Henri's Music with their school programs receiving equal value gift certificates.

First place winner Eric Schultz has been in the Wind Ensemble at AHS since his freshman year, and since then has played principal alto saxophone, principal clarinet, and is currently playing principal flute. He has also performed with the first Jazz Ensemble and Combo since freshman year, playing lead alto and tenor saxophone. As an improvisational soloist with these groups, Eric has received outstanding soloist awards at the UW-GB, UW-EC, UW-SP, Rolling Meadows (Chicago), and Sun Prairie jazz fests.  Eric participated in Wisconsin State Honors Band on alto saxophone in his freshman year, and was accepted to the State Jazz Ensemble during his sophomore and junior years. For the past two summers, Eric has participated in the performing show troupe "Kids from Wisconsin,"He played and was featured often on alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet and flute. Over these two summers with the "Kids from Wisconsin," Eric has played well over 120 two-hour shows throughout the Midwest. In addition, Eric was selected as an exemplary soloist at state solo and ensemble on alto saxophone. Currently, Eric is the Drum Major of the Ashwaubenon High School Marching Band and is planning to pursue a major in music in college. After college, Eric hopes to become a professional woodwind musician for pit orchestras and to pursue music education endeavors.


Second place winner, percussionist Mike Malone, is the 2009 recipient of Oshkosh West's Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and he has received outstanding soloist awards from both the FVA Honors Jazz Ensemble and UW-Eau Claire Jazz Festivals. Mike will be attending UW-Eau Claire to major in Music Ed, with a heavy emphasis in jazz. Mike also leads his own jazz quartet, "Common Time,"who performed at the Fox Jazz Fest and Waterfest, and won 1st place at the UW-Platteville Jazz Festival. He also performs with the Lighthouse Big Band in Fond du Lac.

Students were asked to submit a recording of their jazz playing and were chosen by a panel of jazz educators and musicians from Northeast Wisconsin.  Eric and Mike performed at Jefferson Park at 4:00 pm on Sunday of the FoxJazzFest weekend.

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