Monterey Jazz Festival's band consisting of the best high school musicians from around the United States
“Very tight, gleaming details in the section playing — and soloists you would not believe.” –San Jose Mercury News
Sunday, July 20 - matinee show
3pm $12
As part of a continuing commitment to jazz education and the perpetuation and development of top-level jazz musicians and jazz performance, Monterey Jazz Festival proudly sponsors the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, consisting of the best high school musicians from around the United States.
Created in 1971 as a part of Monterey Jazz Festival's continuing commitment to jazz education and selected through an application process during the Next Generation Jazz Festival each spring, former members of the Orchestra include pianists Benny Green and Patrice Rushen, bassist Larry Grenadier, drummer Chad Wackerman, saxophonists Joshua Redman, Donny McCaslin, Mark Turner, Eric Marienthal, and Dave Koz; trombonist Andy Martin, trumpeters Gilbert Castellanos, Ambrose Akinmusire, and big band leader Gordon Goodwin to name a few.
Since 1971, Next Generation Jazz Orchestra members have come from 200 high schools in 21 states and Canada.
In the past, the band has been under the leadership of Ladd McIntosh, Don Schamber, Benny Golson, Bill Berry, and many more. Now under the tutelage of Paul Contos, the renowned saxophonist and flutist who serves as the director of the Orchestra, the ensemble is dedicated to the study and performance of the most challenging big band literature available.
Members of this ensemble gather for one weekend in the summer to begin rehearsals in preparation for a domestic or international tour. Having received worldwide acclaim, previous tour destinations for the Orchestra have included performances in festivals and various venues in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Europe.
2014 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra / Director: Mr. Paul Contos
WOODWINDS
Emery Mesich, alto / Folsom High School, Folsom, CA
Immanuel Wilkins, alto / Upper Darby High School, Upper Darby, PA
Andy Arditi, tenor / Harvard-Westlake School, Studio City, CA
Max Lesser, tenor / LA County High School for the Arts, Los Angeles, CA
Henry Solomon, baritone** / Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen, MI
TROMBONES
Coleman Hughes*** / Newark Academy, Livingston, NJ
Nicholas Lee / LA County High School for the Arts, Los Angeles, CA
Kevin Jiang / Newark Academy, Livingston, NJ
Steven Robinson / Westlake High School, Westlake Village, CA
Peter Wikle** (bass) / Orange County School of the Arts, Santa Ana, CA
TRUMPETS
Michael Gutierrez / Buchanan High School, Clovis, CA
Andrew Stephens** / Rio Americano High School, Sacramento, CA
Anthony Hervey / Dillard Center for the Arts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Noah Halpern / Roosevelt High School, Seattle, WA
Wallace Roney / Jazz House Kids, Montclair, NJ
RHYTHM
Chris Fishman, piano / LA County High School for the Arts, Los Angeles, CA
Daryl Johns, bass**** / Dwight-Englewood School, Englewood, NJ
Joseph Bell, guitar / Princeton High School, Princeton, NJ
Ashwin Prasanna, drums / Holmdel High School, Holmdel, NJ
Cameron MacIntosh, drums*** / Columbia High School, Maplewood, NJ
Lizzi Trumbore, vocals / Rancho Bernardo High School, San Diego, CA
** 2-year NGJO member
*** 3-year NGJO member
**** 4-year NGJO member
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