Jazz Aspen Snowmass and the Frost School of Music, University of Miami, are thrilled to announce the bands and students that have been selected for the 2022 JAS Academy! In total 41 students representing 14 of the top music schools in the country, will be in attendance. Learn more about these talented young musicians below and don’t miss the opportunity to see them perform live, full performance list can be found here or check them out via live stream:
Facebook LiveStreams
Thursday, July 21 at 7pm mst – Visit us here to watch
Saturday, Aug. 6 at 7pm mst – Link to be posted at a later date
JAS & Frost School of Music at the University of Miami have expanded the JAS Academy to include the new “Combo/Small Ensemble Sessions.” This two-week intensive workshop will be followed by the highly-acclaimed existing “Individual/Big Band Sessions,” led by JAS Academy Artistic Director Christian McBride. McBride will work in tandem with Frost Dean Shelly Berg and Program Director Chuck Bergeron, who will work on both sessions.
The goal of the JAS Academy is to identify and assist the most talented artists embracing jazz fundamentally while exploring myriad related & unrelated forms of music at the highest level of quality. While at the Academy, in addition to their studies and rehearsals, students will also be showcased at multiple public performances. Visit us here for a full list of showtimes and places.
The Academy is full-scholarship, with all travel, lodging, tuition and meals provided. The JAS Academy is supported annually by a multi-year gift from Sasha & Ed Bass.
COMBO SESSION July 10-24th, 2022
GOLD STAR
University of Southern California
Gold Star- USC
SIMON HWANG – ALTO SAXOPHONE
DALTON HAYSE – PIANO
KEELAN WALTERS – GUITAR
MATTEO MUSCETTOLA – BASS
ETHAN FURMAN – DRUMS
We have had the opportunity this year to work with the great Alan Pasqua, whose mentorship and direction has helped us develop a cohesive sound. In his class, which meets for four hours a week for the entire school year, Alan pushes us to learn the most difficult music in jazz. While studying masterful compositions like Coltrane’s “26-2,” Wayne Shorter’s “Rio,” and Chick Corea’s “Tones for Joan’s Bones,” Alan expects us to understand each tune at a deeper level in order to create profoundly melodic solos, with the goal in mind of not just outlining form and chords. Alan will often require us to learn the music in multiple keys, further grounding our understanding of harmony. He also emphasizes the importance of adopting the mindset of a producer. Rather than worry about individual solos, we are encouraged to look at the piece as a whole arrangement, and execute solo sections that serve the broader arc of the music. Then, when we finally bring in our originals, we have the skills to put the music under a microscope, and create a meaningful performance out of every piece. While the group began recently, we quickly developed a set of goals for our collective sound inspired by our lessons with Alan. On “G Avenue” by our saxophonist Simon Hwang, we tried to channel the unmistakably powerful sound of Kenny Garrett into our own playing. We pushed the harmonic structure–or lack thereof–and rhythmic elements to the most dense limits, experimenting with phrygian harmony, tone clusters, odd rhythmic groupings, syncopations, and drastic textural changes, all with the intention of adding drama to the piece. We changed pace with “Dance of the Dryads,” by our pianist, Dalton Hayse, as we strive to create contrast that keeps the listener engaged past the first tune. Intention remains at the forefront of everything we play in this piece. The group realized that communicating a profound feeling to the audience takes a strong, singular voice with clear direction that doesn’t ramble. The lyricism and unconventional phrasing of the composition allows each band-member to play in a sensitive way that showcases the natural hills and valleys of the form.
Dedicating two weeks to solely focus on collaborating with the faculty and fellow musicians that share our desire for discovery and development allows us to most importantly serve the music and our audience. We would also like to use this opportunity to really learn how to write music that caters to a specific group and sound. What should we be focusing on to better understand the elements taken into consideration when writing for a particular group?
INTERMITTENCE
Manhattan School of Music
Intermittence – MSM
Dylan Kries – Alto Saxophone
Adam Lamoureux – Tenor Saxophone
Cameron Campell – Piano
Nolan Nwachukwu – Bass
Ian Wacksman – Drums
Intermittence strives to authentically and collectively express music that is representative of the times and world we live in today, while simultaneously exploring our own artistic voices as individuals and as a group. We want our band to sound alive and constantly developing; never sterile. The music we write/play is heavily inspired by the tradition of Black American Music and modern improvisational music, as well as classical composers such as Bach and Chopin. Intermittence is constantly searching for new and innovative sounds/ideas to incorporate into our writing and band sound in general. The band has had the privilege of learning from and working with amazing musicians such as Jaleel Shaw, Ingrid Jensen, and Mike Moreno.
NORTHERN COLLECTIVE
Northern Illinois University
Northern Collective – Northern Illinois University
Arman Sangalang – Saxophone
Kirby Fellis – Trombone
Austyn Menk – Piano
Morgan Turner – Bass
Noah Brooks – Drums
The Northern Collective features Arman Sangalang, Kirby Fellis, Morgan Turner, Austyn Menk, and Noah Brooks. Throughout their time as students at Northern Illinois University, they have joined together through their mutual love for long-standing groups like the early Miles Davis Quintet and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. This understanding alongside influences by contemporary musicians like Mulgrew Miller, Roy Hargrove, and Kenny Garrett have shaped the Northern Collective’s sound. The group aims to make music that honors the past while also hinting at the future. Collectively, they have worked with artists like Reggie Thomas, Bobby Broom, Rodney Whitaker, and Jeff Hamilton among others. Members of the group have also received various accolades for Essentially Ellington, the Jack Rudin Jazz Championship, and the Jazz Institute of Chicago as well as performing at venues like Fulton Street Collective, Merriman’s Playhouse, the Jazz Kitchen, Fitzgerald’s, and Elastic Arts.
VALENTINA SHELTON QUARTET
University of Miami
Valentina Shelton Quartet – UM
VALENTINA SHELTON – PIANO
ANDREW TINCH – GUITAR
GABE GODOY – BASS
BRAHM MASLA – DRUMS
Valentina Shelton is a vocalist, pianist, and songwriter from Los Angeles. A recent graduate in vocal jazz from UM’s Frost School of Music, with additional studies in piano, she has received two Student Downbeat Awards, both for jazz vocal ensemble and for Outstanding Soloist in voice and piano in the Pop/Rock/Blues category. Besides working in the Miami area, her quartet has had multiple WDNA Jazz Radio concerts.
Andrew Tinch is a guitarist from Panama City, Florida and is a senior jazz performance major at the University of Miami. During his time in Miami, he has performed with Etienne Charles and Weedie Braimah.
Gabriel Godoy is a Miami native bassist performing in groups such as the Jalen Baker Quartet and Alfonso Velasco Visions. Gabriel earned his B.M. from University of Miami and a M.M. from Florida State University.
Brahm Masla is a drummer, vocalist, songwriter, and producer from western Massachusetts now based out of Miami, FL. He prides himself on his diverse musical background and experiences which include performing nationally with his own band, June Arc, as well as supporting many artists such as the great Charles Neville, Maria Schneider, Arturo Sandoval, Ryan Montbleu, Tony Perez, Nicole Henry, and many more.
BIG BAND SESSION July 24-August 7th, 2022
ADAM ABRAMS
Temple University
Adam Abrams
Adam Abrams is a saxophonist, composer, and educator currently residing in Philadelphia, PA. Growing up in South Jersey, Adam played woodwinds throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school. Adam’s love for music led him to pursue a B.M. in Jazz Studies from Temple University. Currently studying with saxophonist and faculty member Dick Oatts Adam has also studied with Tim Warfield, and performed in ensembles coached by veteran faculty members, Joe Magnarelli, John Swana, Elio Villafranca, Eric Alexander, and Tim Green. Adam has also had the privilege of playing in the Temple University Jazz Band, performing with such artists as Dick Oatts, Tim Warfield, Marshall Gilkes, Christian McBride, Joey DeFrancesco, Sean Jones, and program director, Terell Stafford. Adam can be heard on Vince Mendoza’s Grammy-nominated commission entitled “Constant Renaissance,” which features the Temple University Studio Orchestra, Terell Stafford, and Dick Oatts. Adam also
played on the Temple University Jazz Band’s “COVID Session: A Social Call,” and “Without You No Me” featuring Christian McBride and Joey DeFrancesco. Adam continues to practice, study, and listen to great musicians that preceded him, trying to learn as much as possible towards mastery. He graduated with a B.M. in Jazz Performance from Temple University in the Spring of 2021 and will complete an M.M. in Jazz Performance in the Spring of 2023.
JOSHUA ACHIRON
Eastman/Berklee Global
Joshua Achiron
Joshua started guitar at the age of 7, playing blues, rock and classical. He gained more interest in music and began taking lessons with teachers around Atlanta. Starting with classical guitar, he studied with Charles Duncan. Shortly after, he began studying jazz with Bob Shaw, and Kevin Bales. He then attended Interlochen Arts academy for high school and continued his Jazz and Classical studies. Joshua attended college at the Eastman School of Music and earned his degrees in both Jazz and Classical performance, under the instruction of Bob Sneider and Nicholas Goluses. He is currently earning his masters at the Berklee Global Jazz institute under the direction of Danilo Perez.
Blake Aldridge- UMCOLMAN BURKS
University of North Texas
Colman Burks
Colman Burks is a 19 year old musician from Plano TX and is currently the drummer for the critically acclaimed University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band where is currently pursuing a jazz studies degree. Colman Burks grew up in Plano Texas and studied classical piano from the age of 5-10. After being inspired by videos of his cousin Stanton Moore he decided to pursue percussion in middle school. After this he attended Plano West Sr. High and had the chance to participate in Essentially Ellington 2020 and 2021, as well as work with esteemed educator and former director of Jazz Studies at Booker T Washington School for the Arts, Bart Marantz. Throughout high school Colman had the opportunity to participate in numerous musically enriching experiences such as TMEA All State Jazz, The Vail Jazz Workshop, NYO Jazz directed by Sean Jones, The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra directed by Gerald Clayton, Spirit of New Orleans Drum camps, as well as studying privately with his mentor Stockton Helbing and participating in his summer camps and workshops.
JASON CHAROS
University of Miami
Jason Charos- UM
Jason Charos is a Miami-based jazz trumpeter. He is a graduate of the Frost School of Music and is currently pursuing a Master of Music at Frost in jazz trumpet, where he serves as a teaching assistant to Brian Lynch. His career highlights include performing with Sammy Figueroa’s Latin Jazz Explosion, recording on the GRAMMY Award-winning album The Omni-American Book Club by the Brian Lynch Big Band, and preparing and copying material for a Dave Liebman album of Booker Little’s music. Other accolades include winning 2nd place in the 2019 National Trumpet Competition – Jazz Division. In March 2022, Charos recorded his debut album, which is comprised entirely of original music. It was produced by Lynch and will be released on his label Hollistic MusicWorks. The album features performances by Brian Lynch, Dafnis Prieto, Melvin Butler, Carlo De Rosa, and Ludwig Afonso. It is set to release at the end of 2022.
JACKSON CHURCHILL
University of North Texas
Jackson Churchill
Hailing from Duluth, Minnesota, Jackson Churchill is a rising trombonist, composer, and educator. Jackson recently completed his master’s degree in jazz trombone performance at the University of North Texas (UNT). There, he studied with acclaimed artist Nick Finzer and played in the GRAMMY-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band. As a teaching fellow at UNT, Jackson directed the Five, Six, and Seven O’Clock Lab Bands, and he assisted the instruction of undergraduate jazz courses. Recent accomplishments include: finalist in the 2022 J.J. Johnson Jazz Trombone Competition (International Trombone Association); finalist in the 2022 National Solo Jazz Competition (American Trombone Workshop); 2021 Outstanding Small Ensemble Arrangement (Downbeat Magazine). Additional performance credits include the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Nick Finzer Jazz Orchestra, and the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. Jackson graduated from Luther College summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in music education. He is a Theodore Presser Music Scholar and holds memberships in the Pi Kappa Lambda and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.
MATTHEW GARCIA
New York University
Matthew Garcia
By the age of 18, Garcia is widely known Nationally for his talents and unique voice on the saxophone. At age 16, Matthew was selected by Carnegie Hall to tour South Africa with the National Youth Jazz Ensemble. The following year, Garcia was once again selected for Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra and was flown to New York City to learn, perform and collaborate with musicians such as Sean Jones, Wycliffe Gordon, Allison Miller, Matthew Stevens, Erica Von Kleist, Tanya Darby, Mimi Jones, and Melissa Aldana. On top of this, Matthew was also selected at a Young Arts National Finalist in 2021 and received a $5,000 cash prize and will collaborate alongside the best young musicians in the World. Through Denton High School, Matthew was selected twice for the TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble and performed alongside artists such as Earth, Wind and Fire’s Bobby Burns, Shelly Carol, and Jeff Coffin. This coming summer Matthew was invited to perform at the Costa Rica Jazz festival with his New York Ensemble.
JOSHUA GENTILE
Central Washington University
Joshua Gentile
Josh Gentile is from Eagle, Idaho, and studies trombone performance at Central Washington University. During high school he was a member of the Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra for four years, playing tenor and bass trombones. He played in the NAfME All-Northwest Orchestra in 2017 and won the IMEA State Solo Competition in 2018 and 2019. Numerous compositions of his, including works for wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, and various chamber groups, have been premiered in public performances. He performed at The Midwest Clinic as bass trombonist of the CWU Symphony Orchestra, only the fourth university orchestra to be invited as a performing ensemble. As a jazzer, he currently plays lead trombone in the DownBeat Magazine award-winning CWU Jazz Band I and arranges for small and large jazz groups. As an educator, he is the bass trombone faculty member for the 2022 Boise State University Low Brass Camp. In addition to being a musician, he is also a powerlifter.
KELLIN HANAS
Manhattan School of Music
Kellin Hanas
Hailed by the ITG Journal as “one of the best up and coming jazz musicians on the globe”, 20 year old trumpeter and composer Kellin Hanas of Wheaton, Illinois is a Jazz Trumpet BM student at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Currently, Hanas splits her time between being a full-time student and a performing artist in New York City, playing alongside celebrities such as Emmy and Golden Globe Award Winning Actor Darren Criss and Garrett Clayton. She has worked with venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Birdland Jazz Club, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. She also is a regular member of the Grace Fox Big Band, and was a featured soloist on the band’s debut album “Eleven-O-Seven”.
Hanas was a two-time member of various national honor ensembles, including Carnegie Hall’s NYO Jazz Band, Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Jazz Orchestra and Women in Jazz Combo, and the Jazz Band of America, as well as an alumnus of the highly selective Vail Jazz Workshop. She also is the recipient of a DownBeat Magazine Student Improviser Award. Through social media, Hanas has amassed 150,000 followers on TikTok, as well as almost 30,000 followers on Instagram. She hopes to use her platforms to inspire young women to get involved in the music industry and fight against discrimination.
IAN HENDERSON
University of Miami
Ian Henderson
Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Ian Henderson began playing saxophone at the age of 12 in school band where he was introduced to and fell in love with jazz. He graduated from the University of North Texas’ prestigious jazz studies program with a Performance Degree in 2016 where he played in the Two and Three O’ Clock Lab Bands and studied with Professor Brad Leali. After he left North Texas, he lived in Costa Rica until for three years where he taught and performed all over the country. In 2019, he moved to Austin, Texas to study for his Masters Degree in jazz performance at the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music. He is currently studying for his Doctorate in Musical Arts at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami where he studies with Professor Marcus Strickland. Ian has performed in Chile, Costa Rica, and all over Texas and Florida.
SOPHIA KICKHOFEL
The Juilliard School
Sophia Kickhofel
Sophia Kickhofel is a multi-instrumentalist from the St. Paul suburb, Apple Valley. She graduated from Apple Valley High School and had spent the majority of her time in secondary school performing across the Twin Cities area. In addition, Sophia has performed with and has been mentored by several notable jazz musicians including Sean Jones, Camille Thurman, Javon Jackson, Lenny White, Rufus Reid, Wycliffe Gordon, Ron Blake, and Bruce Williams. Through participating in camps and ensembles, including the National Youth Orchestra Jazz Band, YoungArts, the National Association for Music Education and Vail Jazz, she has been able to perform at Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, New World Center for the Arts, and other notable music venues. In addition, Sophia currently attends the Juilliard school as a first year student under the direction of Bruce Williams.
JACK LANHARDT
University of North Texas
Jack Lanhardt
Jack Lanhardt is a baritone saxophonist, composer, and arranger from the Los Angeles area, and is a junior studying jazz saxophone at the University of North Texas under Brad Leali. At UNT, he plays in the 7-time Grammy Nominated One O’ Clock Lab Band and has had the privilege to work with world-class artists such as Kurt Elling, Ben Patterson, Gary Smulyan, Shai Maestro, John Riley, Ignacio Berroa, and Randy Brecker. He was also recently selected as a semi-finalist in the 2022 North America Saxophone Alliance Jazz Saxophone Competition.
GUILLERMO LOPEZ
University of North Texas
Guillermo Lopez
Guillermo López is an American double bassist and electric bass guitarist based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Guillermo moved to Denton to study at the University of North Texas with Lynn Seaton. While attending the university, he has performed and recorded with the Two O’ Clock Lab Band, under the direction of Rob Parton, and the GRAMMY nominated One O’ Clock Lab Band, with director Alan Baylock. He has performed with musicians such as Quincy Davis, José Aponte, Brad Leali, Rosana Eckert, Steve Barnes, Dave Meder, Quamon Fowler, etc. Guillermo has also been named a semi-finalist in the International Society of Bassists Competition (2021), semi-finalist for the UNISA International Jazz Strings Competition (2022) held in Pretoria, South Africa, and was the National YoungArts Jazz Finalist in 2019.
MAX MARSILLO
University of Miami
Max Marsillo
Max Marsillo is a musician, educator and composer performing with artists, teaching in a variety of settings, and composing in several styles of music. Max attended Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and earned a B.M. in music education in 2018. During his time there, he received sponsorship from Vic Firth, and his first four publications as a composer.
Max is currently earning a master’s degree in jazz performance from the University of Miami studying with Dafnis Prieto. He also leads his own band, performing compositions and arrangements of his own and has worked with a number of artists as a sideman including Carolina Calvache, Sal Valentinetti, Hadden Sayers, Angela Perley, Erin Mcdougald, Bobby Sanabria, Bruce Forman, John Daversa and many others.
ZACHARY MCRARY
Eastman School of Music
Zachary McRary
Zach McRary is currently pursuing a master’s degree in jazz trombone performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He holds a bachelor’s degree in trombone performance from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He is primarily a tenor trombonist, but occasionally doubles on the bass trombone.
Though he has a passion for performing and teaching jazz music, McRary has experience playing a range of musical styles. He has experience playing orchestral and wind ensemble works, along with chamber music repertoire of the brass quintet and trombone quartet. Outside of the concert stage, he has performed with pop, funk, and rock music groups. No matter the musical genre, his goal is to provide a quality musical experience for the audience. After Eastman, he plans to freelance as a performer and educator. When not performing or practicing, he enjoys cycling, reading, and cooking.
NOAH MYERS
University of North Texas
Noah Myers
Noah Myers began playing guitar at age 12 and soon after auditioned for the Orange County High School of the Arts, a 7th-12th grade magnet school in Santa Ana, California. After a few years of playing blues and rock music there, Noah began studying with esteemed guitarists such as Ron Eschete who first introduced him to Jazz. After receiving accolades such as an outstanding high-school soloist award from Downbeat magazine and a semifinalist ranking in the Music Center’s Spotlight competition, Noah went on to attend the University of North Texas where he recently graduated from with a bachelor in Jazz Studies. While at UNT, Noah has studied with jazz guitar professor Davy Mooney, but also has had the pleasure of playing with other professors and visiting guest artists such as Regina Carter, Quincy Davis, and Russell Malone. As a member of the 2 o’clock lab band, Noah also had the opportunity to tour Chicago in 2021 and play at the Jazz Showcase, FitzGerald’s, and the Midwest Clinic. Most recently, Noah traveled to Poland for the 2021 international Jarek Smietana guitar competition, in which he won the “Anna and Alicia Smietana” prize, and is going to travel with his trio to Romania for the Bucharest International Jazz competition in the summer of 2022.
KATIE OBERHOLTZER
University of Miami
Katie Oberholtzer
Katie Oberholtzer recently graduated with her Master of Music degree in jazz vocal performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. In 2020 Katie earned her undergraduate degree in jazz studies with a concentration in vocal performance from the University of Southern Maine Osher School of Music, where she studied under the tutelage of Frost School of Music graduate, Taylor O’Donnell and Scott Wheatley. While at Frost, Katie was a member of the award winning group, the Frost Sextet, with whom she was able to perform at various prestigious venues including Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center. In 2021 Katie received two Downbeat Awards in the
44th Annual Student Music Awards. She is fortunate to have won a Best Jazz Vocal Soloist award, as well as a Best Blues, Pop, Rock Group Award. This year Katie was honored to have won the Downbeat Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocal Soloist, as well as Best Large Jazz Vocal Ensemble as a member of the Frost jazz vocal ensemble, Extensions. When in New England, Katie enjoys an active career as a freelance musician and can be seen regularly performing with Maine’s premiere big band, the Portland Jazz Orchestra.
DIEGO RODRIGUEZ
Elmhurst University
Diego Rodriguez
Diego Rodriguez is a drummer and percussionist from Blue Island, IL. He recently received his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from Elmhurst University. Throughout his time at Elmhurst, he was a part of a variety of musical ensembles, including the Elmhurst University Jazz Band led by Grammy Award winner, Doug Beach. Diego also performs and records with an assortment of groups throughout the Chicagoland area. He will be pursuing a master’s degree at the Eastman School of Music starting Fall of 2022.
ERIC STERN
University of Miami
Eric Stern
Eric Stern is a pianist, composer, and arranger who is among a new generation of pianists who seek to combine musical influences and break down barriers of division by creating new, fresh music that can appeal to all. Stern just released his debut album, Familiar Colors, and this aims to begin this process of integration and multi-genre elements. The album is available on all streaming platforms.
Stern grew up in Brooklyn, New York, studying with Jacob Sacks privately and in several of the city’s jazz youth programs, such as the NYC All-City High School Jazz Band and Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro-Latin Jazz Cats. He then moved to Miami, Florida to study at the Frost School of Music, where he still studies with Martin Bejerano and Shelly Berg. While there, Stern hooked up with his quartet, featuring Blake Aldridge, Henry Mohr, and Luca Stine, which plays a blend of original compositions by members of the band and jazz standards from legends such as Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. The quartet is the primary ensemble on Familiar Colors.
Eric is excited to attend the 2022 JAS Academy, and meet all the fantastic musicians and faculty and have a wonderful time!
LIAM SUTCLIFFE
Rutgers University
Liam Sutcliffe
Liam Sutcliffe is a trumpet player from New Jersey. He performs regularly as a freelance musician in the Philadelphia/New York metro area. In 2019, he was selected to be a part of theBetty Carter Jazz Ahead Program at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In 2020, he won the United States Army Blues solo competition. He is about to complete his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University in the spring of 2022.
AIDAN TAYLOR
Peabody Conservatory
Aiden Taylor- Peabody Conservatory
Aidan is a Freshman at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, where he is a dual degree student majoring in Jazz Bass Performance and Recording Arts and Sound Engineering. He currently studies under teacher extraordinaire Kris Funn and prestigious pianist Stephen Scott. He is a five-time Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award winner, a 2020 and 2021 YoungArts Winner for Jazz Bass, and was selected for the 2021 Florida All-State Jazz Band. Also in 2021, his small ensemble was the winner of the Downbeat Student Music High School Small Ensemble Award and a finalist in the National Jazz Festival. His Big Band won a spot as a finalist in the 26th Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival, and the 13th Annual Mingus Festival.
Last year, Aidan was chosen as the 2020 Young Artist of the Year for the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook, and was selected as the bassist for the 2020 Jazz Band of America.
JACK TRATHEN
Michigan State University
Jack Trathen
Raised in North Carolina, Jack Trathen first began playing the trombone in middle school. After participating in programs such as the Essentially Ellington competition and the Jazz Band of America in high school, he went on to study at Michigan State University under the instruction of Michael Dease. Some of his accolades during his time there include being a finalist in the Carl Fontana Jazz Trombone Competition run by the International Trombone Association, and being the champion of the 2022 Jack Rudin Jazz Championship run by Jazz at Lincoln Center.