In its 22nd year, "A Night of Jazz" celebrates high school musicians.
The Warren Hills Regional High School Blue Streak Jazz Ensemble hosted its 22nd Annual "A Night of Jazz" festival on March 9. The concert is an opportunity for local high school jazz bands to come together and perform, and to receive feedback from a panel of professional musicians.
The participating groups included the North Warren Regional High School Varsity Jazz Band, and the Phillipsburg High School Stateliner Jazz Ensemble, from Warren County, the Mount Olive High School Big Band, from Morris County; and the West Milford High School Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble, from Passaic County.
The evening included 20-minute performances from each group, followed by an awards presentation for overall performance, best soloists, and best sections.
The bands were judged by trumpet player Ben Sesto, who has performed with Frank Sinatra Jr.; Chris Arnold, a freelance trumpet player and music educator who has taught in both secondary school and university settings; and Kevin Shinall, a trombone player who has performed with Bruce Springsteen and Dizzy Gillespie.
All of the groups received a silver trophy, with the exception of the West Milford HS Jazz Ensemble, which received a gold trophy.
The best saxophone section award went to West Milford; the best trombone section award went to North Warren Regional; the best trumpet section award went to Phillipsburg; and the best rhythm section award went to Mt. Olive. Individuals were also recognized.