The Bellevue College Vocal Jazz Ensemble “Celebration” was formed in 1972 and was one of the first vocal jazz ensembles in the nation. Under the direction of Tom Almli, this award-winning internationally acclaimed ensemble performed at five IAJE national conferences, six Jazz Education Network Conferences in recent years, and has also performed several times at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National and Regional conferences.The group won the 2020 Next Generation Jazz Competition in the College Vocal Jazz Category and received an invitation to perform at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival. In January 2020, Celebration was honored to perform at the Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans, LA and the ACDA conference in Spokane, WA shortly before the COVID-19 lockdown occurred. Celebration has shared the stage with many accomplished musicians including The New York Voices, Tony Bennett, Sara Gazarek, Kathy Kosins, John Pizzarelli, Kurt Elling, the Yellowjackets, Nancy King, M-PACT, The Coats, Groove for Thought, Greta Matassa, Jeff Baker, and more.
The ensemble tours yearly on a local regional and national level. Bellevue College is proud to be a part of the rich tradition of vocal jazz in the Pacific Northwest.
For more information please contact Thomas Almli at talmli@bellevuecollege.edu
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Last Updated December 28, 2023