UPLAND – Warsaw resident and Taylor University senior trombonist Joel Helms was recognized as one of the outstanding solo jazz performers at the recent Elmhurst College Jazz Festival in Elmhurst, Ill. For Helms, a music education major, it marks his second award at the festival. He was playing with the Taylor University Jazz Ensemble, which was making its 11th appearance at the festival. Chicago Magazine once hailed the festival as “one of the best buys for your jazz dollars … the Elmhurst festival is a professionally judged competition that draws the better college jazz bands.” The Taylor students attended the Saturday morning clinic and performed in the afternoon session with 11 other college bands. This year’s festival featured guest artist adjudicators Sean Jones, trumpet; Ralph LaLama, saxophone; and Dennis Mackrel, drums.
