Essentially Ellington disseminates Duke Ellington compositions to high school jazz bands and encourages the study and performance of Ellington's music. Back when I was playing trumpet in my high school orchestra, we performed music by the recognized geniuses of classical music: Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms. But for those of us who were interested in jazz, there was no similar canon in place for us to cut our teeth on. We barely even listened to big band music, and few of us were familiar with Duke's music. This is the main reason why Jazz at Lincoln Center was created.

Out of the hundreds of bands that compete, 15 finalists are selected to come to New York for the three-day festival. The bands participate in workshops and rehearsals with jazz professionals. The top three bands are selected to perform at the banquet dinner with myself as a soloist for some of the scores. We have come here to celebrate Duke Ellington, one of the greatest American composers. His music is about finding a groove and swinging, and in it is the real meaning of hipness. I believe that jazz can raise the soul quotient of America. It can teach us about listening to and respecting one another. About excellence on our own terms and not at the expense of others. America is ever changing; so is jazz. Democracy is a process; so is jazz improvisation.

Contact: (212) 258-9800; www.jazzatlincolncenter.org