Nanaimo jazz duo wins big at Monterey Jazz Festival

A dynamic young duo from Nanaimo is revelling in a big musical win.

Teenagers Kenton Dick and Ethan Olynyk went to California from April 8-10 to perform at the famous Monterey's Next Generation Festival, which showcases 1300 mostly American student musicians.

The alto saxophone and drum duo became the first Canadians — and in fact, the first international group — to win at the Next Generation festival. 

The pair took home first place in the High School Combo division and they also each won an outstanding soloist award.

"We auditioned through a blind audition process and we were one of six combos chosen to compete at the festival and the only Canadian group," said Dick who plays alto saxophone.

"But we had no idea we'd place. That was the main goal was to place, third, second, we had no idea we'd win," said Olynyk who plays drums.

The teens are in Grade 12 at Wellington Secondary School in Nanaimo.

Their teacher, Carmella Luvisotto, says Dick and Olynyk have something special.

"Usually you have musicians come through music programs that are great and wonderful but never two at the same time who can challenge each other to the way these two boys have," she said.

The duo's win means the teens will be invited back for the main Monterey Jazz festival in September to perform and meet some of the greatest names in jazz that are also playing there.

Meanwhile on Saturday, the duo played in Vancouver at an event with CBC Tonic host Tim Tamashiro.

with files from Matthew McFarlane