Trombonist Michael Wang wins SJW scholarship

/by

Folsom_awardIt wasn’t enough for Michael Wang to blow away the Folsom Jazz Festival adjudicators with his astonishing trombone work on a blazing arrangement of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” while performing with the Rio Americano HIgh School Jazz Ensemble 1. He also took a chorus soloing on soprano recorder!

Though Michael wasn’t available to accept his scholarship award at the awards ceremony on January 29, his band director, Josh Murray, kindly stepped in to accept on Michael’s behalf, shown here with SJW Marketing Director, Ernie Rideout.

Everyone in the Rio Americano band did a fantastic job at the Folsom Jazz Festival, winning the sweepstakes for the high school band division. Contratulations to all the great musicians at Rio Americano, and we look forward to seeing Michael Wang this summer at the Stanford Jazz Workshop!

Check out all the other great things the Rio Americano music program is doing:

rioband.net/

Announcing the 2010 CSM Jazz Festival SJW Scholarship Winner

/by

Chris_JeffereisAs a result of his excellent performance at the College of San Mateo Jazz Festival on November 19, 2010, bassist Chris Jefferies was awarded a scholarship to the 2011 Jazz Residency by a distinguished panel of jazz artists judges. Chris was holding down the foundation of the rhythm section for the mightily-swinging Tamalpais High School big band, directed by Spiro Tsingaris.

Chris, with his bass and scholarship certificate on the left of the photo, says, “It’s a privilege and an honor to receive such an award. I’ve been to the workshop for the last three years and have learned a great amount, met lots of amazing musicians, and had a ton of fun.”

Chris and Mr. T (as Sprio Tsingaris is affectionately known by his students) were just on their way to play at the Jazz Education Networkconference in New Orleans when they stopped to take this photo.

Congratulations, Chris! We’re looking forward to seeing you at Jazz Residency this year! In the meantime, check out all the other great things the Tam Music program is up to!

CoHo Monday Jams begin January 10

/by

Led by SJW Jazz Residency Faculty Director Patrick Wolff, the CoHo jams are set to warm up Monday nights throughout the Winter Quarter. Bring your axe, fakebooks, and an amp if you need it, and join in! The house band gets going around 8:00 p.m. Get more information about the Stanford Coffee House here.

Monday, January 10
Monday, January 17 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
Monday, January 24
Monday, January 31
Monday, February 07
Monday, February 14
Monday, February 21