The 2023 Princeton Jazz Festival will be held at the Princeton High School Performing Arts Center on April 14 and 15. The festival, now in its 15th year, is the largest educational jazz festival in New Jersey and includes performances by more than 700 middle school and high school jazz musicians.

A two-day event, the festival will feature a middle school competition on Friday, April 14 and a high school competition on Saturday, April 15. Guest artist Brian Duprey will perform both evenings with the award-winning Princeton Studio Band and will also lead education clinics for all festival participants.

Duprey will be performing with the Princeton Studio Band. Performances will be Friday evening following the middle school performances and Saturday night after the high school performances.

Showered with awards and recognition for his live and recorded vocal performances, Duprey, a Broadway Series actor, had his big break on Fox TV’s hit reality show “Performing As,” where he won the top prize by portraying his idol, Frank Sinatra.

As an actor in the hit musical “The Rat Pack is Back,” Duprey spent a decade perfecting his craft and elevated the standard of tribute shows in the vein of “Jersey Boys.” His lead role and creative development of the show built a 48-state tour, repeat bookings, and secured the title of “Best Tribute Show of Las Vegas” in 2014. He has performed in more than 200 performing arts theaters and casinos across the country.

Duprey’s film credits include “Get Him To The Greek” as well as the hit TV show “CSI Las Vegas.” He has opened for Paul Anka and has performed for the likes of Steve Wynn and the entire cast of HBO’s “The Sopranos.”

Tickets for the jazz festival can be purchased online or at the door.

Participating Bands

Middle Schools

Friday, April 14

Princeton Jazz Ensemble
John Witherspoon 7th Grade Jazz Band
John Witherspoon 8th Grade Jazz Band
Cranbury School Jazz Band
Cranbury School Jazz Ensemble
Princeton Studio Vocals
Princeton Studio Band with “Frank Sinatra”

High Schools

Saturday, April 15

Princeton Combined Tiger Bands
Princeton Tiger Band 2
Princeton Nassau Band 1
Princeton Nassau Band 2
Princeton Jazz Ensemble
Princeton Studio Vocals
Princeton Studio Band with “Frank Sinatra”