On Saturday, May 3, the annual Jazz State Finals took place at Edison High School for Division One. This was an event that bands spent upwards of months and years preparing for. Out of fifty, the ten highest-scoring jazz bands of the first division had made it out of the preliminary performance and into the final stage. The students had high expectations to uphold. Some were anxious and panicked over solos they had to perform, while others felt excited to showcase their talent. There was no doubt, however, that everybody who showed up was ready to play their absolute best and stun the crowds of students from all around New Jersey.
Originally, JP Stevens, a champion of many previous jazz state finals, was supposed to host the show. Sadly, their long-awaited auditorium was still under construction, so the venue was moved to Edison High School. While this event was in the Eagles’ auditorium, it was still under the management and supervision of J.P. Stevens’s band program.
Volunteers from J.P. Stevens reached Edison High School around 3 p.m. with the goal of a successful evening. Food and drinks were set up for all to buy, such as pizza, baked ziti, grilled cheese sandwiches, candy, soda, and more. The first band to perform was the John P. Stevens lab jazz band under the direction of Mr. Raymond Henricksen at 4:00 p.m. They played a splendid show with the swing tune Bing’s Bounce, the ballad Lifelong Friends, and the rock-based Jazz Police. Many other bands followed, including the Livingston Jazz Ensemble, West Orange Jazz Ensemble, and Cherokee Jazz Ensemble. By 8:15 p.m., eight out of the ten bands had gone. The John P. Stevens Jazz Ensemble, their top band, was taking the stage.
Every seat in the auditorium was filled. Parents, friends, siblings, and teachers all came together to watch these great bands. Mr. John Zazzali, director of the jazz ensemble, took a few moments to situate the rhythm section and then held the microphone. He described their repertoire; Summertime would start the show, featuring soloists on instruments like the saxophone to the vibraphone. Next, a ballad called Yesterdays would be played, featuring lead tenor saxophonist Shreyas Thirumale. Finally, Malaguena would be played, an arrangement beloved by John P. Stevens’ prior band director, Mr. Andrew DeNicola. Filled with many tempo changes, impressive melodies, and speedy rhythms, this song ended with a powerful trombone harmony and a trumpet solo, where lead trumpet player Taran Vakkada reached very high pitches above the band. A roaring sound of applause emerged as the whole ensemble stood up. Freshman Prabhat Ankem of John P. Stevens High School was amazed at how the band was brimming with talent: “It was an eye-opening experience to witness such a gifted band. Their players performed as if they lived for jazz, and my jaw dropped for each one of them.”
After the splendid performance by the J.P. Stevens jazz ensemble, the final band of the evening took the stage: Newark Academy “Chameleon” under the direction of Julius Tolentino. When asked about the performances at state finals, junior Alexander Mohammed stated, “The bands were all very good, but you could tell which ones were truly magnificent, like Newark [Academy].”
During their twenty-minute show, the reactions from the audience evinced that their musicians were top-notch. They played an upbeat swing tune to begin, followed by a more calm and laid-back tune. Their final tune, as if to wake up the audience with a yank, was an intense Latin tune. It was filled with extremely tight entrances from trumpets and melodic “licks” from the trombones and saxophones. As everyone watched in awe, Newark displayed their greatest strength: soloists. Countless students took mind-blowing solos, such as their lead trumpet ascending a staircase of high notes. Even if they were as short as eight bars (which goes by fast with such a high-tempo piece), they left the audience thinking: how can one play at such a high level?
Finally, to end off a great evening, awards were handed out to soloists and bands, along with the rankings of the bands. The judges started by announcing the bands that placed 4th through 9th, and students bit their fingernails, hoping not to be called. If they weren’t called, they were definitely in the top 3. The bands that were called were the John P. Stevens lab jazz band, Edison High School Jazz Ensemble, Livingston High School Lancer Jazz Band, West Orange High School Jazz Ensemble, Newark Academy’s “NA Big Band,” and Cherokee High School Jazz Ensemble. Students and directors gladly clapped and celebrated; this is an incredible feat for many schools and musicians. But now it was time for the top three bands to be called out. Third place was given to PCTVS Jazz Band, and celebrations rang across the hall. The musicians from Newark and John P. Stevens held their breaths, and after a buildup from the announcer, second place was given to John P. Stevens, which was celebrated joyously by both of J.P.’s bands.
Along with a second-place title, the “best trombone section” was also given to J.P. Stevens, comprised of Rishith Duggimpudi (lead), Pranav Vemulapalli, Tanay Shah, Alexander Mohammed, and Varshit Chakilam. Although J.P. Stevens did not take the top spot, the tall, lavish trophy they won truly encompassed the passion, determination, talent, and enjoyment from a great season in jazz. And in the end, all directors and musicians went home feeling extremely pleased with themselves and knowing that they will reminisce about the 2024-25 jazz season for the rest of their lives.
