Members of the New York city-bound DGS Jazz Ensemble are preparing for the Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival from May 12-15, 2011 with a clinic with Jazz at Lincoln Center pianist Reggie Thomas. In addition to his association with the Jazz at Lincoln Center, Mr. Thomas is also Professor of Music at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. A wide range of musical concepts are being processed during the clinic, all designed to equip the NYC-bound ensemble for performance success when they arrive at the festival in New York City. Special thanks to the Jazz at Lincoln Center for sponsoring this clinic for the student musicians as a facet of participating in the Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival.