The Bradley Middle School Jazz Band director Karlos Elizondo stands in front of a banner celebrating the trip to Chicago
The Bradley Middle School Jazz Band Goes to Chicago
Congratulations to the Bradley Middle School Jazz Band for performing at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago

The Bradley Middle School Jazz Band of the Northeast Independent School District in San Antonio, TX has been invited to the 73rd annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago, under the direction of Karlos Elizondo. Elizondo has been teaching for 12 years, and is very excited for his students, as they are the only school in Texas to be invited. It shouldn’t come as too much of a shock, however, since the group has consistently earned top honors at various competitions around the country.

The Midwest Clinic began in 1946 with local roots, but has since grown to international status. The selection process is rigorous, and as Elizondo states in a one-on-one interview with KRTU’s own Kory Cook, “...it’s a big feather in the cap for Bradley Middle School. I know there have been other bands in San Antonio invited, but I don’t believe there's been another middle school band in the San Antonio area that’s been invited, so I think we’re the first one.” 

Elizondo hasn’t always taught middle school students, though. He has been playing the trumpet ever since first grade, traveling the world, and performing with various artists and ensembles like The Temptations, The Four Tops, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Tito Puente Jr., and many more. When Elizondo’s not at home with his wife Madeline and their two kids, or performing locally with Doc Watkins, he’s inspiring Bradley Middle School’s nationally recognized jazz band to work their hardest to achieve their dreams.

This year, those dreams of being invited to the Midwest Clinic came true, and you can hear some of the music that they will be performing on the South Texas Jazz Project, heard Thursdays @ 5pm and Saturdays @ 7pm on your home for jazz in San Antonio, 91.7 FM KRTU.

Written by Hannah Currie, KRTU Development Intern

KRTU is a leader in commercial-free, listener-supported radio specializing in diverse music programming that is locally-curated and showcases regional musicians, with a focus on community outreach and education.

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