This Is My New Jersey

Nothing makes me happier than seeing a school system’s music department thrive. And they are certainly thriving at Newark Academy.

The Academy’s jazz band, Chameleon, made the cut as one of only 15 finalists throughout the United States to perform at the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. The ensemble will compete in May at Jazz at Lincoln Center. These finalists were selected from more than 100 high school jazz bands that submitted recordings of three tunes from the Essentially Ellington library.

They are the only jazz band that will represent New Jersey.

The annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival is one of the most innovative jazz education events in the world. Each year, high school musicians from across North America travel to New York City to spend three days immersed in workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals and performances at the “House of Swing,” Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The event will celebrate Mr. Ellington’s 125th birthday.

I certainly wish Newark Academy the absolute best of luck. You have already made your state proud!

Go band!