NA Chameleon to Compete in 24th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival
Newark Academy’s Chameleon is among 15 finalists who will compete in the 24th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival – the nation’s premier jazz education event – in New York City in May, Jazz at Lincoln Center announced.
Against a competitive pool of 112 jazz bands across the country, NA was selected after submitting recordings of three tunes performed from the Jazz at Lincoln Center library.
"I think it's a testament to the group that we made it back to Essentially Ellington after graduating 11 seniors last year. It's amazing to see the level and the bar set so high by these students," Julius said. "There's nothing that even comes close to the Essentially Ellington experience in terms of the level of groups, the interaction with the world's greatest musicians, and playing the music of Duke Ellington."
"I think it's a testament to the group that we made it back to Essentially Ellington after graduating 11 seniors last year. It's amazing to see the level and the bar set so high by these students," Julius said. "There's nothing that even comes close to the Essentially Ellington experience in terms of the level of groups, the interaction with the world's greatest musicians, and playing the music of Duke Ellington."
On May 9-11, 2019, Newark Academy will join talented young music students from all backgrounds, attend workshops and jam sessions. The weekend concludes with a concert and awards ceremony featuring the top three bands alongside the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
Last year, Chameleon placed second overall. Click here for links to see last year’s performance. They have also made Honorable Mention in 2012, 2015, 2017.
An independent school for students in grades 6-12