JTole Music provides programs that bring communities together in the form of summer workshops, festivals, online educational videos, and jam sessions.
05/09/2026
Last day of the semester at Princeton University! I’ve been lucky to work with so many brainiac students studying jazz with me these last 3 years. Several moving on from undergrad, masters to doctoral, studying abroad next year and even a doctoral student. Christmas came early and I love all my gifts. This little portrait of some JTole poses is classic!
05/08/2026
In the news…
04/30/2026
We are all so shocked. Kiyoshi was so down to play with my sad ass when I first to moved to town and gave me some incredible experiences playing in his group. Such a beautiful spirit.
Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! your the man!
04/26/2026
Congratulations to all the bands that performed at the NJAJE State Finals last night. The level in our state gets higher and higher! Both Newark Academy bands killed it. Our top group came in 1st place keeping the streak alive at 15 years straight. Have to shout out my former student, Katie Westerlund. Her first year working with West Orange High School and coming in 2nd place with an all Essentially Ellington set and memorized! They were killing and a force to be reckoned with! Also thank you to Garrett Faccone for working with our students and helping me keep our younger group in line!
04/20/2026
Come on out!
Some highlights from this past weekends 9th Annual Regional Essentially Ellington Festival! 15 bands from all over the tri state and Wisconsin this year! We love hearing the new groups and the growth in the bands that come back! Keep on swinging and we will see you again!
The Friday Evening of Jazz and Saturday Regional Ellington are two of the biggest events I run at Newark Academy. Thank you to everyone for the support. I will be posting highlights and pics soon. Here’s a little highlight of living legend Steve Turre playing the conch shells! 🤯
04/10/2026
Eve of Jazz tonight! Tomorrow we host the 9th Annual Regional Essentially Ellington at Newark Academy. We have had bands come from all over participating, from Arizona to Australia! Tomorrow we have 15 bands performing from the Tri-State area and 2 from Wisconsin! All educators are welcome to come and watch bands and clinics! Thank you to Jazz at Lincoln Center for making these festival happen across the US.
04/08/2026
Our Annual Evening of Jazz is this Friday featuring trombone legend Steve Turre! This is a fundraiser for the Ana Grace Project. When the Sandy Hook shootings happened in 2012, our Newark Academy community came together to support all the families and my friends the Greene’s. Ana Grace would have been turned 20 this April 4th and the foundation in her name is dedicated to promoting love, community, and connection for every child and family through three lead initiatives: partner schools; professional development; and music & arts. If you can’t make the concert, consider donating to https://www.anagraceproject.org/donate
04/04/2026
Congrats to on a great senior recital! It’s been a pleasure working with you. Ended the recital with tune Ace.