Artist Series Concert: Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage

Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage, jazz trumpeter Derrick Gardner and local students to perform in Huntley

Jazz up the year and enjoy a free concert and return of the talented Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage (YJED) with guest artist jazz trumpeter Derrick Gardner at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, 10805 Main Street, Huntley, on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 4:00pm. 

Sponsored by the SOTP Artist Series, the public is invited to attend  this free performance. No tickets are required and freewill donations are gratefully accepted.

The YJED is composed of 28 members. This select group includes two local District 300 high school students, Josmar Teran (Trumpet) and Damien Roque (Bass), from Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville.

The concert preludes their exciting trip to New York City to compete in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival to be held later that week on April 30-May 2, 2026.  This marks the ensembles third consecutive year receiving this honor, and the fifth time in YJED's history being accepted into this prestigious national competition.

The Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage (YJED) was founded by current director Robert Blazek in 1998 to provide the opportunity for the top high school jazz musicians in the 20+ high schools in DuPage County and surrounding areas to perform high-level jazz music literature in concert and in an annual studio recording. Since its founding, YJED members have had the privilege playing for highly prestigious events and with a number of jazz greats. 

Born in Chicago, Gardner is a performer, composer, and arranger. He has performed on multiple recordings with the Count Basie Orchestra and has played four sessions with Harry Connick, Jr. among his many other accomplishments. Gardner is a sought-after educator, clinician, and guest artist at high schools and universities across the world. His music offers a funky and soulful swing sound. 

His fifth recording as leader, “Pan Africa” by Derrick Gardner & The Jazz Prophets was released in January 2023 on the Impact Jazz label. This recording draws its inspiration from his tour of Ghana and is a blending of West African musical culture and jazz.