Garfield's jazz program has won state, national and international awards and accolades in big band, combo and individual categories.
Jazz Ensemble I has toured Europe numerous times, visiting the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Italy, and playing at venues including the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals.
It has also attended the International Association of Jazz Educators' conference, as well as the Essentially Ellington Competition in New York City.
It is the only band to win the first place trophy in consecutive years (2003–2004 and 2009–2010) and the only band to have been invited to Essentially Ellington for ten consecutive years.
Overall showings at Essentially Ellington have included 1999 (honorable mention), 2000 (honorable mention), 2002 (2nd place), 2003 (1st place), 2004 (1st place), 2006 (3rd place), 2008 (2nd place), 2009 (1st place), 2010 (1st place), 2013 (Finalist), 2014 (Finalist), 2015 (Finalist), 2016 (Finalist), 2019 (Finalist) and 2020 (Finalist).
Its consistent placement in national competitions and long history of national recognition indicate its status as one of the best high school jazz bands in the country.

Among the many other awards are seven sweepstakes wins since 2000 at the Clark College Jazz Festival (Vancouver, Washington),, three sweepstakes wins (including two by Jazz Band II) at the Bellevue High School jazz festival (Bellevue, Washington), six sweepstakes awards at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival (Moscow, Idaho), and others wins at the Reno and Mount Hood jazz festivals.
Garfield's jazz program has won state, national and international awards and accolades in big band, combo and individual categories. Jazz Ensemble I has toured Europe numerous times, visiting the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Italy, and playing at venues including the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals. It has also attended the International Association of Jazz Educators' conference, as well as the Essentially Ellington Competition in New York City. It is the only band to win the first place trophy in consecutive years (2003–2004 and 2009–2010) and the only band to have been invited to Essentially Ellington for ten consecutive years. Overall showings at Essentially Ellington have included 1999 (honorable mention), 2000 (honorable mention), 2002 (2nd place), 2003 (1st place), 2004 (1st place), 2006 (3rd place), 2008 (2nd place), 2009 (1st place), 2010 (1st place), 2013 (Finalist), 2014 (Finalist), 2015 (Finalist), 2016 (Finalist), 2019 (Finalist) and 2020 (Finalist). Its consistent placement in national competitions and long history of national recognition indicate its status as one of the best high school jazz bands in the country.
Among the many other awards are seven sweepstakes wins since 2000 at the Clark College Jazz Festival (Vancouver, Washington),, three sweepstakes wins (including two by Jazz Band II) at the Bellevue High School jazz festival (Bellevue, Washington), six sweepstakes awards at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival (Moscow, Idaho), and others wins at the Reno and Mount Hood jazz festivals.
Garfield High School (Seattle)