The East Hampton High School Jazz Band won first prize at Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s 2026 Battle of the High School Jazz Bands on Saturday, beating out Hicksville. The band submitted an audition video and was selected, along with Hicksville, to showcase their talents at Jones Beach Theater. This was the first time Bonac was selected as a finalist in the MADD competition’s five-year history.
“I’m so proud. These students in the jazz band put so much extra time into the department, and they do it because they love playing music,” said Christopher Mandato, the district’s music department coordinator and high school band director. “This weekend was a nice recognition of the extra time they put into learning their craft. I think they really stepped up and had a lot of fun this weekend. I have a special group this year. Not every performance is a competition but this opportunity was pretty cool.”
The battle is part of the annual Move Like MADD event, which includes a community walk, lunch, and speakers, all to raise money and awareness in the fight against drunken driving. “It’s a brilliant idea to include high schoolers in an event about the dangers of impaired driving,” Mr. Mandato said. “It was emotional and empowering in that regard.”
For the final competition, the Bonackers performed three songs, alternating with the Comets of Hicksville. East Hampton chose “Lester Leaps In” by Lester Young and arranged by Rich Sigler, “Pure Imagination” by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, arranged by Craig Skeffington, and “Feira de Mangaio” by Glorinha Gadelha, arranged by Paul Carlon.
In addition to earning first place for the best overall performance, Bonac’s saxophone section — Christopher Amay, Ailyn Bermeo, Stella Brecker, Joel Chavez, Levon Muse, and Molly Stillman — and trombone section — Matthew Chuya, Olivia Chapman, and Josiah Padilla — received top recognition. Molly also won first place in the best soloist competition for her alto saxophone solo in “Pure Imagination.” Stella took third place for her tenor saxophone solo in “Lester Leaps In.”
Olivia thought that song was the group’s best piece. “I really like the normal jazz songs, so ‘Lester Leaps In’ was my favorite. It really showed the trombones,” she said. “I just love jazz band. Traveling to do something outside of band practice was something I really enjoyed.”
The band first performed “Feira de Mangaio” with Nation Beat at Jazz Night at the Clubhouse in Wainscott in March, and here they used it as a closer. “Because it’s a Latin beat,” Ailyn said, it’s “pretty interesting. It was a really great experience. I really liked the other band. I’ve never done a competition before.”
Mr. Mandato said the professional experience collaborating with Nation Beat, plus the timing of the songs, helped East Hampton.
“Hicksville went first, then we played two, they played two, and then we played our final song,” he added. “I think we had a little bit of an advantage playing the last song. They were excited to put on the best performance they could to close out. I think the judges were really impressed by that selection.”