Charlie Phillips Joins the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra

Trombonist Charlie Phillips has earned a spot in the prestigious Next Generation Jazz Orchestra (NGJO), marking a major milestone in his musical journey. A junior at Lindbergh High School in Missouri, Phillips first picked up the trombone in fifth grade after discovering the instrument’s “race-car noise” potential. Since then, he has expanded his brass repertoire to include the tuba and bass trombone, focusing primarily on the latter.

Phillips learned of the NGJO through his high-school band director in March and submitted videos, a mini-essay and interview answers as part of the highly selective audition process. When he received the acceptance email in May, the reaction was pure surprise: he had tried out “with no expectation of making it.”

A National Stage and Unforgettable Performances

The NGJO is a national ensemble that brings together the top high-school jazz musicians from across the United States. This year’s program is under the direction of Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Gerald Clayton and features 20 students selected through a rigorous audition process. Phillips performed with the NGJO at the Monterey Jazz Festival, taking the stage both in a community-courtyard setting for local elementary students and on the arena’s Jimmy Lyons stage, his first time playing on a fully mic’d big-band arena performance.

Phillips says the opportunity to watch his jazz idols, such as trumpeter Keyon Harrold and trombonist Trombone Shorty, and then share a stage in that context was “unbelievable.” As the only student from Lindbergh accepted into the 2025 NGJO, Phillips represents both his school and the Midwest region among predominantly West- and East-Coast peers.

Looking Ahead in Jazz

With such an early and significant achievement, Charlie Phillips is well on his way in jazz education and performance. His time with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra will surely offer experiences, connections, and growth that will resonate long after the season ends.

The full article can be found here.