To start the 2026 New Jersey Association for Jazz Education (NJAJE) competitive season, Edison High hosted its annual Jazz Festival on February 6, inviting bands from across New Jersey to perform. The EHS bands, under directors Mr. Marc Denicuolo and Mr. Derek Dillman, as well as the Band Parent Organization, all worked to create an atmosphere of entertainment. The Festival marks the beginning of the Jazz Ensemble’s competitive season, with multiple performances in the coming months.

Eleven bands from nine different schools were invited to participate in a six-hour competition. Edison fields two main musical groups, Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble. Jazz Band is less competitive and does not represent the school in state competitions–that is the role of the Ensemble. Traditionally, hosting schools do not take a competitive part in the event but instead perform as an exhibition.

This year’s performances featured more underclassmen than in past years, both in the various musical groups and as soloists. Edison

High’s Jazz Band performed two pieces under the direction of Dillman: “Big Swing Face” by Bill Potts/arr. Rich Singler and “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” by Joe Zawinul/arr. Jon Harpin. The first selection featured soloists Madhuhasini Venkateeswar ‘28 on the flute and Justin Lee ‘28 on the drums. The second selection featured soloist vocalist Sophia Dimayuga ‘26.

“The performances went pretty well, and I think the whole band had fun with it,” said Jazz Band guitar player Tharshan Satish ‘29.

Edison High’s Jazz Ensemble ended the night performing “Speak No Evil” by Wayne Shorter/arr. Igmar Thomas with soloist Zach Crawford ‘27 on the trombone and “Adventures” by Kris Berg, featured soloists Vibunav Janaki Ashok ‘27 on the soprano saxophone, Enrique Gutierrez ‘29 on the baritone saxophone, and Joshua Abuan ‘27 on bass trombone.

“When we went on stage, we surely thought we weren’t prepared, but ended up executing the performance exceptionally,” Ashok said.

The band directors expressed pride in the evening’s outcome, noting that the event’s success was a testament to the true nature of jazz.

“It was great as I walked through the halls and auditorium to be able to hear students and directors complimenting each other, hyping each other up, and being excited about the things they were hearing,” said Dillman. “Music, especially jazz music, is all about community and collaboration, and that was especially evident at EHS last Friday night.”

The bands present at the festival, in order of performance, were:

Governor Livingston’s Jazz Band

Edison High’s Jazz Band

J.P Stevens’ Jazz Band

Morristown’s Spectrum Jazz Band

Randolph’s Jazz Ensemble I

Metuchen’s Jazz Band

Bridgewater’s Monday Band

Passaic-County Technical Vocational’s Jazz Band

Scotch Plains-Fanwood’s Moonglowers

J.P. Stevens’ Jazz Ensemble

Edison High’s Jazz Ensemble