Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage
Getting ready for the 2022-23 season!
NEW NEWS
This past year, the YJED band came roaring back from it's COVID cancelled seasons with a full slate of concerts, performances, and our recording session. And while the recording is being mastered and finalized, we're already thinking about next year!
And if you're a potential member of the YJED 2022-23 band, hopefully you're thinking about next year too! Here's some details for starters:
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To simplify your audition process (and encourage you to audition for ILMEA), we use the exact same audition recording as ILMEA
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Some (but not all) of the audition information for ILMEA 2022-23 is available. We will try to reflect what's available on the "About Audition" tabs.
(As of 7/29, we have links to the audition pieces!) -
During the week of September 19, all audition information will be finalized, and we will open a new tab titled "Audition for YJED" which you will need to use to submit your audition for YJED.
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We will email all non-graduating YJED 2021-22 members, plus anyone who requests a notification (see "Contact" tab) once the "Audition for YJED" tab is open and accepting audition recordings.
Click on the "About Auditions" tab for more details!
Pix and video from our 2021-22 performances!
Coming back from 2 years off for COVID, we had 2 performances in January. Pete Ellman invited us on short notice to open for his big band (the Pete Ellman Big Band aka PEBB) at The Venue in Aurora and of course we jumped at this invitation.
A few days later, our first Winter Concert since 2020 featured Guest Artist Adam Larson. It was quite the kick after playing his ILMEA Honors Band piece "Out The Window" in 2019, and having him give a MasterClass in 2021.
In May (albeit postponed for a couple of weeks), our Spring Concert featured Guest Artist Kirk Garrison. And a couple days later, to close out our live performance schedule we traveled to the Jazz Showcase to open for Bob Lark and his group.
Click on the Video and Photos tabs for pix and selected videos from these performances (some still to come!)
YJED year-end recording - Support through GoFundMe
On June 5, the band as it typically does trooped down to Transient Sound to lay down a recording with the best of their season's songs. GoFundMe donations help to fund studio time, plus the sound mixing and mastering, and production still in process.
Click on the yellow "Donate via GoFundMe" button for more details and to make a donation electronically.
If you prefer to donate by check, make the check payable to “Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage” and mail it to the YJED Treasurer at Judi Jenz, 305 S. Naperville Rd., Wheaton IL 60187. (Make sure your name and address is on the check to receive a tax deduction receipt). Thanks!
So what is the story with YJED???
Well, we have a whole tab "About YJED" with a lot of details, and yeah you probably should go there and take a look at the details...but here's the short version:
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YJED members get to play with the best high school musicians in DuPage County and surrounding areas. 20+ high schools...but only 5 trumpets, 5 bones, 5 saxes and one rhythm section. You do the math.
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You get to play pro-level music. That's what you can do when you have a section full of 1st chair players selected from 20+ high schools.
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You get to play at cool places (hopefully). COVID makes it hard to make promises, but the last couple full seasons YJED had on the calendar The Jazz Showcase, Fitzgerald's, Fulton Street Collective, Plus ILMEA and downtown Chicago gigs. And, by the way, a couple of concerts.
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You get to play with great featured artists. Pros like Victor Garcia, Chris Madsen, and Dave Katz who have played with the best in the world, and who will push you to step up your game...seriously.
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And you get to make a pro-level recording, in a pro-level studio, with a featured artist or two. Laying down the best charts of the year, engineered by industry guys who do this for a living. Many of our alumni say this is the most memorable part of YJED.
So, if you want details, go to the "About YJED" tab.
Enough with the words...what does YJED sound like?
You can click onto our "Video" tab to see and hear a number of performances. Or go to the "About YJED" tab, and click through to three of our recordings under "Selected Recent Discography"
But right here are links to a few videos of us (new window will open):
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Friday Night at the Cadillac Club (with guest artist Chris Madsen)
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How Sweet it Is (with guest artist Dave Katz)
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Just Friends (with guest artist Dave Katz)