Pure Joy by Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage

Thanks to so many who made this season a huge success. To board members Mark Alder, Judi Jenz, Jeff Novak and Mike Klos. Your support and input made all we do possible. To DJ and Kate Alstadt for all the extra time in securing a rehearsal space and for being fabulous EE chaperones. To the Essentially Ellington team of Maegan Kelly, Todd Stoll and Oliver Beardsley, thank you for providing the opportunity of a lifetime for my students and the other finalists bands. We hope to see you again real soon! To our EE clinician, Jerome Jennings and mentor, Chris Lewis thank you for sharing your love for Duke’s music and your inspiration. To all the parents and directors for entrusting your students in my care. Working with these students is in a privilege. To Steven Gillis and the folks at Transient Sound for your recording skills and to Steve Weeder for your mixing and mastering talents. Thanks to Don Reese for his album design. Finally, to by wife, Cheri for your love and support. You are the music of my life.
Keep Swingin’
Robert

​
The Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage (YJED) was founded by current director Robert Blazek in 1998 to provide the top high school jazz musicians in the 20+ high schools in DuPage County and surrounding areas the opportunity to perform high-level jazz music literature in concert and in an annual studio recording.

yjed.org