The Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble is going live in the big city this week, as one of 15 national finalists competing in the 22nd annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival.

Best of all, you can listen live!

“These are wonderful young jazz musicians, and they are really excited about these opportunities,” said TYJE director Gregg Gelb, noting that last May, the group placed second in this Jazz at Lincoln Center’s National Essentially Ellington Competition.

Known as one of the most innovative jazz education events in the world, the competition brings together finalists selected by audition from more than 100 high school jazz band entries across North America. TYJE is the first group from North Carolina selected for this honor.

Each finalist band received an in-school workshop led by a professional musician before heading to New York to perform before Wynton Marsalis and a panel of judges.

The Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble arrives in New York City today, for three days of workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals and performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

On Saturday, the competition and festival will conclude with a concert and awards ceremony featuring the three top-placing bands and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Marsalis.

Festival events, including this final concert, will be webcast live on jazz.org/live.

The Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble was established in 2005, is sponsored by the nonprofit Philharmonic Association, and is for advanced musicians in grades eight through 12, by audition.

For more information, visit jazz.org/ee.