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High school and middle school jazz competition and festival


2023 NATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

2023 AWARD CEREMONY AT 2300 ARENA

“Glad you are back in person in 2023. I was a Band Director for 43 years and attending the 2020 National Jazz Festival was one of my favorite festivals ever!” …… Steve O

An annual jazz festival inspiring high school and middle school musicians to take jazz to the next level through education, collaboration and celebration.
All inclusive. No audition necessary. Competitive and Non-Competitive Categories.


2023 NATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

APRIL 22, 2023
PHILADELPHIA, PA

WATCH THE AWARD CEREMONY
ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

“Glad you are back in person in 2023. I was a Band Director for 43 years and attending the 2020 National Jazz Festival was one of my favorite festivals ever!” …… Steve O

An annual jazz festival inspiring high school and middle school musicians to take jazz to the next level through education, collaboration and celebration
All inclusive. No audition necessary. Competitive and Non-Competitive Categories.

WATCH THE AWARD CEREMONY AT 2300 ARENA
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE 2023 NATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL A SUCCESS
65 Schools, 90 Ensembles from 19 States & Puerto Rico ….. Abraham Clark High School, NJ ~ Albemarle High School, VA ~ Atlee High School, VA ~ Bethel High School, CT ~ Boston Latin School, MA ~ Brookfield High School, CT ~ Camden Creative Arts High School, NJ ~ Carusi Middle School, NJ ~ Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music, NY ~ Centennial High School, MD ~ Cranbury Middle School, NJ ~ Creative Arts High School, NJ ~ Danvers High School, MA ~ Deptford HS, NJ ~ Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, FL ~ Eastlake High School, WA ~ Edgemont High School, NY ~ Ellington High School, CT ~ Escuela Especializada Pablo Casals, PR ~ Freedom Crossing Academy K-8, FL ~ George Stevens Academy, ME ~ Georgetown Day School, DC ~ Harvard-Westlake School, CA ~ Herricks High School, NY ~ Hopewell High School, NC ~ Hopewell Valley Central High School, NJ ~ Hopkins School, CT ~ Klein Forest High School, TX ~ LA County High School for the Arts, CA ~ La Salle College High School, PA ~ La Salle Institute, NY ~ Lovejoy HS, TX ~ M.S. 54 – Booker T. Washington, NY ~ Metuchen High School, NJ ~ Middleton High School, WI ~ Mirman School, CA ~ Mundy’s Mill High School, GA ~ Naugatuck High School, CT ~ Newtown Middle School, CT ~ Noblesville High School, IN ~ Our Lady of Good Counsel, MD ~ PA Leadership Charter School, PA ~ Pace High School, FL ~ Pattonville High School, MO ~ Pennsbury High School, PA ~ Princeton High School, NJ ~ R.F. Bumpus Middle School, AL ~ Ridley High School, PA ~ Seneca High School, NJ ~ Shawnee High School, NJ ~ Shead High School, ME ~ St. John’s School, TX ~ Staples High School, CT ~ Steinert High School, NJ ~ Stratford High School, CT ~ Suffield High School, CT ~ The Fieldston School, NY ~ The Shipley School, PA ~ Timothy Edwards Middle School, CT ~ Trevor Day School, NY ~ Trinity School, NY ~ West Milford HS, CT Wharton High School, FL ~ William H. Hall High School, CT ~ Wilton High School, CT ~ Xavier High School, CT ~

THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 SPONSORS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

FREE* EDUCATIONAL CLINICS AT THE
PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER

2023 CATEGORIES

NJF Jazz Diplomats will perform at 2300 Arena at the commencement of the Award Ceremony
2023 LOVE Award and Jazz Educator Award

LOVE Award

The National Jazz Festival LOVE Award was created to honor a middle or high school student who has used their passion for music to better the lives of others through activism and/or community service.  Students are nominated by their directors, parents, or fellow musicians. Nominate your student by clicking on the link.

Jazz Educator Award

National Jazz Festival’s Educator of the Year Award is awarded to an exemplary middle or high school educator who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to students and to jazz music education. The awardee models best practices in teaching inside and outside of the classroom and demonstrates outstanding leadership and excellence in education. Nominate by clicking on the link.

Watch all performances from the 2021 & 2022 festivals on our YouTube channel

Become a Benefactor

The NJF is grounded in a philosophy of personal growth and education and our annual high school jazz competition fosters friendly competition, musical education and the development of lasting connections between young jazz musicians. High school jazz bands and middle school jazz bands from across the nation are inspired to take jazz to the next level through education, collaboration and celebration.

Consider making a donation to support our mission to provide a festival with an educational philosophy that is free for all to attend.

The National Jazz Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ID 83-3751080


Contact us to learn more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities available.


  • 10/7/22 Newsletter
    Find out more about the 2023 National Jazz Festival. Register for in-person or the virtual option, nominate a student for the LOVE Award and a band director for the Jazz Educator Award, learn about the new Instrumental Soloist Category andContinue reading “10/7/22 Newsletter”
  • Live Jazz is Back!
    Live Jazz is back in 2023. Philadelphia, PA will once again host the National Jazz Festival on April 22, 2023 after two years of virtual competition. Registration will be open shortly. We hope to see you there!


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National Jazz Festival

Celebrating jazz education throughout our entire nation and beyond!

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(404)-861-1141