Mt. SAC Jazz Band and Lab Band

The Jazz Ensemble is one of the finest community college jazz bands in southern California. Under the direction of Jeff Ellwood, the Mt. SAC Jazz Band has won 1st place at the 2008 Western States Jazz Festival, 2nd place at the Reno Jazz Festival in 2011, and 1st place at the prestigious Reno Jazz Festival in 2009 & 2012. In addition to the Jazz Ensemble, Mt. SAC offers a Lab Band, jazz combos, jazz improvisation, and History of Jazz courses. More information on the Jazz Band can be found on their dedicated website, mtsacjazz.com.

Mt. SAC has become one of the premier Community College programs in California. 

Students from Mt. SAC have transferred to Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, USC, CSU Northridge, CSU Long Beach, CSU Fullerton, Azusa Pacific, UCLA. 

The Jazz Ensemble has won numerous festivals:
2009 - 1st Place Reno Jazz Festival
2011 - 2nd Place Reno Jazz Festival
2012 - 1st Place Western States Jazz Festival
2012 - 1st Place Reno Jazz Festival
2013 - 1st place Reno Jazz Festival
2014 - 1st place Reno Jazz Festival
2015 - 1st Place Reno Jazz Festival
2016 - 1st Place Reno Jazz Festival
2017 - 2nd Place Reno Jazz Festival
2018 - 2nd Place Reno Jazz Festival
2018 - Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award  Winners for “Best Large Ensemble”
2019 - 1st Place Route 66 Jazz Festival
2019 - 1st Place Reno Jazz Festival
2020 - Outstanding Performance Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award

 

For additional information, contact Professor Jeff Ellwood.