Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage
YJED Accepted into Essentially Ellington Festival!
Congratulations to Mr. Blazek and the Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage on being selected to compete in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival in New York City, taking place April 30-May 2, 2026.
This marks the ensembles third consecutive year receiving this honor, and the fifth time in YJED's history being accepted into this prestigious national competition.
To support YJED and help fund the trip, click HERE to access the Go Fund Me Link!
To view the official Press Release from Jazz at Lincoln Center, click HERE!
YJED Winter Concert featuring Michael Dease
The YJED Winter Concert featured an exciting collaboration with world renowned trombonist Michael Dease, offering students and audience members an unforgettable experience. The concert took place on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 4:00pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church School in Crystal Lake. Students performed thirteen charts, including two of Dease's arrangements. What a great start to their season!
To view photos from YJED's Winter Concert, click HERE!
YJED Announces Michael Dease & Derrick Gardner as their Guest Artists for the 25-26 Season!
The Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage is thrilled to announce our featured guest artists for the 2025-2026 season. Trombonist, Micheal Dease will join us on our January 18th concert and trumpeter, Derrick Gardner will perform on our April 26 concert.
To learn more about Michael Dease, check out his bio HERE!
To learn more about Derrick Gardner, check out his bio HERE!
Congratulations YJED on their performance at the 30th Annual Essentially Ellington Festival!
YJED represented the greater DuPage area in New York City at the 30th Annual Essentially Ellington Festival and Competition in May, 2025. Their hard work, determination, and musical talents were on full display. Mr. Blazek is beyond proud of these students for their dedication and commitment to each other. This is YJED's second consecutive year being invited to this prestigious festival.
Check out PHOTOS from their trip as well as the official Jazz at Lincoln Center RECORDING from their performance!
YJED wraps up their 24-25 Season with Guest Artists Pharez Whitted & John Wojciechowski!
YJED featured two phenonmenal guest artists throughout the 24-25 season. At their Winter Concert, YJED played alongside Pharez Whitted, accomplished jazz trumpeter and educator in the Chicago-area. Their Spring jazz concert served as a sendoff show to the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival in New York City, featuring guest artist John Wojciechowski, esteemed Chicago-area jazz saxophonist and educator.
To learn more about Pharez Whitted, check out his bio HERE!
To learn more about John Wojciechowski, check out his bio HERE!
The 2024-25 YJED album now available through Bandcamp!
If you are looking for a jazz album recorded by some of the best high school students in the state, with incredible mastery and musicianship, look no further than YJED's 2024-25 studio album "YJED 2025".
Recorded this past June, in a pro studio with pro engineering, you will not be disappointed with this stunning album.
Please click HERE to check out the album. We are incredibly grateful for your support, and we hope you enjoy!
What is the story with YJED?
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YJED members get to play with the best high school musicians in DuPage County and surrounding areas. YJED is typically made up of 20+ high schools, with traditional instrumentation (5 trumpets, 5 trombones, 5 saxes and one rhythm section).
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Members get to play pro-level music from some of the best jazz composers and arrangers throughout history.
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Members get to perform at historic venues such as The Jazz Showcase, Fitzgerald's, and Fulton Street Collective, participate in invited performances at events such as the Illinois Music Educator's Conference, Chicago Jazz Festival, and the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival.
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Members get to perform with world-renowned featured artists. Professionals like Wycliffe Gordon, Terell Stafford, Victor Goines, Adam Larson, Rob Parton, Kirk Garrison, Mark Colby, Steve Wiest, Victor Garcia, Chris Madsen, and more have all played with YJED!
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Members have the opportunity to record an album at the end of the season in a professional recording studio. Annually, YJED releases an album of their best charts of the year, featuring their guest artists, engineered and produced by professionals in the industry. Many of our alumni say this is the most memorable part of YJED.
To learn more, visit About YJED
