High School Trumpeter Selected for National Jazz Festival Ensemble

(April 17, 2023) -- The National Jazz Festival started in 2019 with the mission to bring together high school and middle school jazz musicians and educators from across the nation to strengthen music education and performance while cultivating an inclusive, joyful community based on a mutual love of jazz.

This year the National Jazz Festival selected 17 students from across the country to perform together as part of the NJF Jazz Diplomats under the direction of Sammy Miller of Playbook. Lower Merion trumpeter Aidan Peterson is the single representative for the state of Pennsylvania. Other students hail from New Jersey, Texas, and Maryland. The Jazz Diplomats will perform on Saturday, April 22 at 6 p.m. at the NJF Awards Ceremony to be held at 2300 Arena.

Peterson is a junior at The Shipley School, a member of the Advanced Studies Jazz Ensemble at Settlement Music School, and a fourth year trumpet major in the pre-college division at The Juilliard School. He started exploring jazz at the age of nine when he joined the DeLaSalle String Band Orchestra.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting and playing with a group of new musicians. Music is the one universal language and it’s always fun to collaborate with others who have the same passion and drive," commented Peterson.

At the 2021 National Jazz Festival, Peterson was the recipient of the coveted LOVE Award. The award was created to honor a middle or high school student who uses their passion for music to better the lives of others through activism and/or community service. Peterson was nominated because of his volunteer work with Bugles Across America. Since joining the non-profit that provides free live Taps at military funerals, Peterson has played for over 500 veteran services.

To learn more about the National Jazz Festival visit www.nationaljazzfestival.org.