Chameleon Earns 2nd Place in 2018 Essentially Ellington Competition

Newark Academy’s Jazz Band “Chameleon” directed by Julius Tolentino won 2nd Place at the 23rd Annual 2018 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival, which took place at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Individual awards were earned by Sami Powell (Outstanding Vocalist), Vikram Bala (Honorable Mention Bass), Cosimo Fabrizio (Outstanding Guitar), Teddy McGraw (Outstanding Drums), Allen Zhu (Outstanding Tenor Sax). In the 2017 competition, Chameleon placed 4th. In addition to directing the Jazz program at Newark Academy, Tolentino is founder of JTole Music, which creates programs and events that bring communities together, from performances and festivals to summer workshops, jam sessions, lessons, and educational videos.