John Raymond - All-State High School Jazz Ensemble

John Raymond is one of the most promising, genre-bending musicians in jazz today. With a singular voice as a trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer, Raymond is “steering jazz in the right direction” (Downbeat Magazine) by pushing it's boundaries, seamlessly incorporating indie-rock, folk and electronic influences into his music. As Something Else reviews stated, “This is jazz, yes, but jazz with an open mind’.

John has released nine albums under his own name, and has received praise from the New York Times, Downbeat, Stereogum, NPR, and more. He has been a sideman or featured artist on over thirty other recordings, including four GRAMMY-nominated albums, and has performed or recorded with a diverse array of artists including legendary jazz drummer Billy Hart, pop sensation Sara Bareilles, Stellar-award winning gospel producer Darnell Davis, and singer/songwriter Sandra McCracken among others.

John is a sought-after educator, both as Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and as a guest clinician and soloist at schools around the world. He is the author of “The Jazz Trumpet Routine: Fundamentals for the Creative Improviser,” and is the creator and host of the podcast “The Trumpet Summit.”

Bill Rank - Junior All-State Jazz Ensemble

William Rank has been a Music Educator at Oak Prairie JHS since 2005. Mr. Rank co-directs the Oak Prairie Concert Bands, the Oak Prairie Jazz Ensemble and several extra-curricular ensembles. He also teaches semester general music classes in Music Production. Prior to teaching at Oak Prairie, Mr. Rank taught four years at Scullen Middle School in Naperville. Mr. Rank’s ensembles have consistently received excellent ratings at local and state festivals. In 2011, the Oak Prairie Jazz Ensemble performed at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference and was a rehearsal lab ensemble for the Midwest Clinic. In January 2023, the Oak Prairie Jazz Ensemble was invited to perform for a second time at the Illinois Music Education Conference!

Mr. Rank received the Bachelors and Masters degrees in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was awarded the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award, was a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Teacher of the Year, and served for twelve years on the leadership committee for the Illinois Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance Project. In 2022, he was elected to the position of Junior/Senior General Music Division President-Elect in the Illinois Music Education Association.

As a freelance saxophonist, Mr. Rank has performed at the World Saxophone Congress and received an Outstanding Soloist Award at the North Texas Jazz Festival. Mr. Rank is an active member in the Illinois Music Educators Association, Illinois Grade School Music Association, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, and the University of Illinois Alumni Association. He currently performs with the Shout Section Big Band and many other ensembles throughout the Chicagoland area.