For Senior musician Ivan Diaz, jazz was always more than the stage. It was about growth, connection, and learning how to listen to the people around him just as much as the music.

Over the years, Diaz has grown significantly throughout his time with the Plainfield East Band as a saxophone player. From a section leader, to playing for the Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage, and eventually to the prestigious Essentially Ellington festival in New York City, this senior has seen his fair share of pressure. But for him? It was humbling. 

Within his ensemble, the people around Diaz are some of the best musicians in the state. For many, it would be easy to feel intimidated or inferior to one’s fellow musicians. However, Diaz provides another perspective.

“When you’re around people at that level, the talent, it doesn’t make you feel smaller. It kind of makes you realize how endless the possibilities are for music,” said Diaz.

In the high-stakes preparation for a festival as esteemed as Ellington, Diaz cites the greatest difficulty being learning how to handle such tremendous pressure without losing the joy of the music. The nerves he felt, while intense, served an important purpose: it ensured that joy was still alive and well.

As a young musician who idolized jazz legends and dreamed of wide stages, the trip felt nothing short of surreal.

“New York is one of those places that only exist in your imagination,” said Diaz.

Such a renowned environment often inspires someone to not only look to the promising future, but also to their roots. Diaz is no exception. He attributes much of his drive and passion to the Plainfield East Band program, saying that it gave him a hunger for more.

As graduation approaches, Ivan will continue his musical journey with the Depaul Jazz Band, and perhaps even further into Chicago. With him are not only his talents or memories, but also the lessons of community he learned along the way.

And for his fellow musicians, hoping to step where he once stood, Diaz has a simple message.

“One day you’ll realize the biggest reward is not going to be the stage you’re going to play on, how big your stage is, or how much the audience is. It’s the person that you’ve become with the people around you,” said Diaz.