Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage
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 2023-24 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 2023-24 studio album "Pure Joy".
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
