A Week to Remember: Jacobs Jazz Orchestra Shines at Essentially Ellington 2026

Jacobs Jazz Orchestra (JJO) at Essentially Ellington 2026

🗽 New York City, April 27–May 3, 2026

🎥 FULL VIDEO: JJO Performance and Awards | Jazz at Lincoln Center

📸 IMAGES: JJO—EE26 Images

Jacobs Jazz Orchestra traveled to New York City for the 2026 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center, one of the most prestigious jazz education events in the country. For our students, it was an extraordinary, life-changing week. None of it would have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of Dr. Irwin Jacobs. 🙏❤️

The Week:

The trip began Monday, April 27, with an early morning departure from San Diego. After arriving in New York, students settled into the Park Central Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, just a short walk from Jazz at Lincoln Center. That evening, many of our students headed to the Village to catch live jazz and sit in at Smalls and The Five Spot, two of New York's legendary jazz clubs.

The Edge

Tuesday brought a full day of exploration: a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum, lunch downtown, and an afternoon visit to The Edge

Observation Deck overlooking the city.

Wednesday was a full and memorable day. After a rehearsal at Michiko Studios in Manhattan and a lovely group dinner, Jacobs Jazz Orchestra shared the stage with The Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble from Raleigh, NC, for an evening performance at the hotel. The two bands closed out the night with a jam session that was a highlight of the trip.

Thursday marked the official opening of Essentially Ellington. Students registered at

Jazz at Lincoln Center, participated in a Q&A with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and attended section masterclasses. The evening closed with dinner alongside JLCO musicians and an extended jam session.

Friday and Saturday were competition days. The Jacobs Jazz Orchestra performed on

Luca Posillico - Trumpet

Saturday, May 2, in the Rose Theater and delivered. During the awards ceremony,

something truly special happened: all of the band directors received a twenty-minute standing ovation from the students. It was an emotional moment that many in attendance described as one of the most powerful in the festival's thirty-one year history.

Sunday meant an early morning lobby call and a long flight home. Students, chaperones, and parents arrived back in San Diego exhausted, but exhilarated in the best possible way.

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🏆Awards: The Jacobs Jazz Orchestra earned recognition across the board at the final awards ceremony:

• Top Band Honorable Mention: Young Lions Jazz Conservatory / Jacobs Jazz Orchestra, directed by Gilbert Castellanos

• Outstanding Alto Saxophone: Kahlil Childs

• Outstanding Tenor Saxophone: Jordan Yaeger

• Outstanding Trombone: Miles Dixon

• Outstanding Trumpet: Luca Posillico

• Outstanding Trumpet: Tiam Khosravan

Thank You!

Weeks like this are what jazz education is all about: students learning from the best, performing at the highest level, and experiencing New York City as young musicians. Thank you to all who support YLJC’s efforts to keep jazz education alive in San Diego and to our wonderful community who supports our amazing young musicians. Thank you to our EE chaperones Robin Nuspl, Yolanda Keitany, and Sherri Dixon, and to all the parents who work tirelessly throughout the year to support their amazing students.

We are deeply grateful to Dr. Irwin Jacobs for making this trip possible, and to Gilbert Castellanos for leading our students with vision and dedication every step of the way. 🙏❤️

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