Dillard's Jazz Band Brings Home Top Prize

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - Dillard Center for the Arts' 25 member jazz band has won what is know as the "Super Bowl" of high school jazz band competitions.

Over the weekend they were awarded first place in the 16th Annual Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Competition and Festival in New York. The event was held at New York's Lincoln Center. Dillard took home a trophy and a check for $5 thousand.

Band members, who practiced for months for the competition, said they learned more than just the music.

"I'm learning that we have to trust each other. That's really what got us there," said Christopher Dorsey.

"Yeah, that's about it. Before the contest I remember Anthony, our drummer, he was like "Yo Pat, I got you" and then we just went on stage and then it happened," said Mac Boikl. "That's how it happened."

More than a dozen high school jazz bands competed. Miami's New World School of the Arts jazz group received an honorable mention.