As a member of NYYS Jazz, you will collaborate with some of the finest musicians in the region and perform alongside established and emerging artists. Performances take place in iconic venues throughout the NYC region, including the Appel Room, Dizzy’s Club, National Sawdust, and more.
Jazz Small Ensemble
Select members of NYYS Jazz will have the opportunity to audition for small ensembles, allowing for enhanced creative collaboration and musical exploration. Participants in the Jazz Chamber Program will perform concerts and engage in outreach activities, create original music for their ensemble(s), and work as true artistic collaborators and colleagues.
This year the NYYS Big Band will perform in New York City’s finest jazz venues, including Shapeshifter Lab, Dizzy’s at Jazz at Lincoln Center and BRIC in Brooklyn.
Throughout the season, rehearsals are augmented by masterclass clinics with some of today’s most eminent jazz professionals. Previous guest artists have included Arturo O’Farrill, Wycliffe Gordon, Stefon Harris, Ted Nash, Maria Schneider, Jane Monheit, Joe Lovano, Steve Turre, Victor Goines, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Joe Locke, Eric Reed, Lew Soloff, Alan Ferber and Linda Oh. This year Stefon Harris and Miguel Zenon will be joining us.
NYYS Big Band
Shapeshifter Lab
December 15, 2025 at 7pm
NYYS Big Band featuring Stefon Harris, vibraphone
Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center
March 2, 2026 at 7pm & 9pm
NYYS Big Band featuring Miguel Zenon, saxophone
BRIC Brooklyn
May 11, 2026 at 7pm
NYYS Small Jazz Ensemble
Composition Date 2026 at National Sawdust
May 18, 2026
"It's an opportunity I would never have had, especially growing up in a low-income family. NYYS opened a lot of doors for me, and I definitely would not be where I am today without them."
Trista Casanas Ford, Saxophone
"My love for big band playing only grows stronger as I play in the group. I'm so blessed to have been able to play with such high-level musicians."
Avery Gotshell, Drums
Photo Credit: Joshua Poyer
Donate today and help support our students continue their journey and become a part of our community of musicians and change the landscape of what the musical world look like today.
DonateExperience all the hard work, practice and rehearsals that our students take on and show up to see them perform at one of our many concerts throughout the season.
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