Jazz is not a what, it is a how. If it were a what, it would be static, never growing. The how is that the music comes from the moment, it is spontaneous, it exists at the time it is created.

Bill Evans
Mountlake Terrace High School performing at the Royal Room in Seattle.

Jazz Ensemble 1

Jazz Ensemble 1 is the highest level of jazz band available.  Audition or instructor permission is required.  This nationally recognized ensemble teaches students a variety of big band jazz styles and performs extensively in the school, community, and nation. The literature often requires students to draw upon their different realms of knowledge, abilities, and experience in order to perform the music at the level of sophistication required.

Jazz Ensemble 2

Jazz Ensemble 2 is the second level of jazz band available.  Audition or instructor permission is required.  This ensemble teaches students a variety of big band jazz styles and performs extensively in the school and community. Students must commit to preparation of their parts, working on both the technical and artistic aspects of their musicianship in order to experience higher levels of complexity and beauty in music. Students awaken their desire for improvisation and learn to express ideas through music.

Jazz Combos

Jazz combos are student led small groups consisting of three to seven musicians. The combos play jazz standards from the past or contemporary jazz interpretations of more current songs.

Jazz combos have performed at the Gates Foundation, Lynnwood Holiday Bazaar, Port of Edmonds Sea Jazz, local restaurants, and private events.

Learn more about our jazz combos and how to hire them.

Jazz News

Read the latest about our Jazz Bands.
Jazz Quintet @ Baguus Little Asia – November 23

Jazz Quintet @ Baguus Little Asia – November 23

Nov 13, 2024
Jazz Jam Session at North City Bistro This Saturday

Jazz Jam Session at North City Bistro This Saturday

Nov 13, 2024
Jazz Quintet @ Baguus Little Asia – October 19

Jazz Quintet @ Baguus Little Asia – October 19

Oct 9, 2024
MTHS Jazz Combo Performing at the BELLEVUE Jazz & Blues…

MTHS Jazz Combo Performing at the BELLEVUE Jazz & Blues…

Oct 1, 2024
Mountlake Terrace High School performing at the Royal Room in Seattle.

Jazz Night @ Mountlake Terrace High School – October 25

Sep 27, 2024
Jazz Quintet @ Baguus Little Asia – September 21

Jazz Quintet @ Baguus Little Asia – September 21

Sep 17, 2024

MTHS Jazz in the Media

2024– Edmonds School District musicians recognized as some of best in Washington
– Student musicians celebrated during school board meeting
– Bringing the swing: Jazz bands from Edmonds-Woodway, Mountlake Terrace to perform at Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz
2023– Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz Band wins top honors at Newport Jazz Festival
– MTHS jazz band wins at Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
2022– MTHS jazz ensembles take home trophies from Newport Jazz Festival competition
2020– Mountlake Terrace HS Jazz Band selected for Essentially Ellington competition
– Jazz 1 Finishes The Year with Virtual Essentially Ellington
– Jazz 1 on the road to Prestigious Festival
– Teaching Jazz in The Schools During COVID-19
– For the love for music and ice cream: MTHS grad earns scholarship, headed to music conservatory
– 5 Seattle-area bands make finals of prestigious Essentially Ellington high school jazz competition
2019– Jazz 1 exhilarates crowd at Hot Java Cool Jazz
– High school musicians swing on stage at 24th annual Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz
– Favorites return and freshman debut at Jazz Collective Event
– Terrace Jazz stuns at Oregon Jazz Festival
2018– Jazz 1 brings home honors from 23rd annual Essentially Ellington
– Female bassist upends the jazz tradition at Starbucks’ benefit concert
– Annual Edmonds School District Jazz Symposium at MTHS showcases student talent
– Terrace to compete against the best in the big apple
– Jazz 1 hits two-year streak for Essentially Ellington festival
– Jazz 1 earns standing ovation at Hot Java Cool Jazz
– Jazz ensembles boost morale with Essentially Ellington sendoff
– Jazz 1 reunites with clinician in preparation for Essentially Ellington
– Jazz 1 completes first day of Essentially Ellington with pomp
– Jazz 1 takes Essentially Ellington stage by storm
2017– 3 Seattle-area high-school bands heading to Essentially Ellington
– Mountlake Terrace High School’s Jazz 1 band performs at Essentially Ellington
– Jazz 1 opens 22nd annual Hot Java Cool Jazz, unveils student-composed song
– Essentially Ellington
– Jazz 1 lands in New York for Essentially Ellington
– Gallery: Jazz 1’s First Day at Essentially Ellington
– Jazz fills Columbus Circle on day two of Essentially Ellington
– Jazz 1 performs at Essentially Ellington
– Outstanding soloist awards revealed at 22nd annual Essentially Ellington final concert
– Jazz combo performs at national journalism convention
– Pro musician Todd Williams guides Jazz 1 before Essentially Ellington next month
– Inslee visits MTHS STEM, jazz, journalism
– Jazz festival hit the right note for Mountlake Terrace student
– Jazz, alumni band conclude school year at Jazz Alley
– Tamir Hendelman Trio share outcomes of MTHS jazz collaboration
– At the heart of jazz
– Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz Spotlights Teen Talent
2016– Local Washington jazz bands gather for the 26th annual Jazz Symposium
– MTHS Music Boosters launch fundraising effort to ease jazz class overcrowding
2014– Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz Bands at Jazz Alley
– Savannah Music Festival History – 3rd Place in 2014
201351st Annual Clark College Jazz Festival
2012– Mountlake Terrace High School band selected to compete in New York
– What’s in the water? Seattle bands dominate NY jazz competition
– Essentially Unprecedented
2011– Winners of 16th Annual Essentially Ellington Competition 2011
– 15 High School Jazz Band Finalists Announced for 16th Annual Essentially Ellington
– Hot Java Cool Jazz @ the Paramount
– Bands wow ’em at Jazz Alley finale
2008– Mountlake Terrace High School Places 3rd in National Competition
2005– Mountlake Terrace, Shorewood high-school jazz bands to compete in New York
2002– Seattle high school jazz bands win high honors at New York’s Lincoln Center during week of May 13, 2002
2000– Earshot Jazz, v.16, no.4, Apr. 2000: Essentially Ellington

MTHS Jazz YouTube Playlists (2007-Present)