Newark Arts High School Senior Derek Fykes was chosen to play in this year's Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and All-Star Gala which will be held this Sunday at the Dolby Theater (home of the annual Academy Awards telecast) in Hollywood California.
Fyfe, (an avid drummer) was chosen amongst a septet that will include musicians from around the country.
This year’s Septet is composed of the following students:
John Michael Bradford (New Orleans) trumpet
Isaiah Collier (Chicago) tenor sax
Khayla Williams (Houston), trombone
Joshua Bermudez (Miami), guitar
Kanoa Mendenhall (San Francisco), bass
Jamael Dean (Los Angeles), piano
Derek Fykes (Newark), drums
This year's guest of honor is former United States President Bill Clinton and the gala will be hosted by Kevin Spacey, Don Cheadle, Quincy Jones, and Goldie Hawn.
Event organizers said Fykes and the Septet will perform on the same bill with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman, Queen Latifah, and many more.
Arts High School Principal Lynn Irby-Jackson said that Fykes is one of many students from the school that demonstrate excellence while upholding the school's wonderful historic visual and performing arts values. "I am overwhelming proud of Derek" Jackson said.