Three Rio Groups participated in the Traditional Jazz Festival (think New Orleans in the 1920’s) at CSUS on Saturday. Rio students swept every “best of” instrumental award, and our “Red Hot Moldy Fig Stompin’ Babies Jass Club of Rio Americano” was selected as the top high school group and invited to play in the showcase concert.
Rio’s award winners were-
Andrew Stephens- best HS trumpet, 4th year in a row
Lucas Bere- best HS saxophone
Sarah Pearlman- best HS trombone
Joshua Kravitz, best HS piano
Devan Kortan, best HS banjo
Valentina Makovey, best HS bass
Jacob Swedlow, best HS drums
Also, Brady Hegland (freshman banjo/guitar) was awarded a music camp scholarship.
Congrats to all of our participants.
AM has again been selected as one of the 12 finalists at the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Competition and Festival. It is a huge honor. We are one of 12 groups selected from a national pool of applicants, and the competition gets tougher every year. Congrats to the band for their hard work.
The festival itself is a wonderful experience for young musicians. Every band there can really play, and there are top-notch, big-name musicians all over the place. This year’s Artist-in-Residence is drummer Eric Harland. There is a free concert on the Friday night, and ALL festival events are free to the public.
The festival is already on our Rio Band Calendar, and will be held at the Monterey Convention Center (Downtown, NOT at the Fairgrounds) on March 28, 29 and 30th. AM will perform on Saturday, the 29th. Our performance time is TBD, and there is a possibility of playing again in the nighttime showcase concert. While each family can handle transportation and lodging however they like, staying Friday and Saturday nights are the easiest and most fun way to experience this fantastic festival.
The Convention Center is attached to two hotels- the Portola Plaza and the Monterey Marriott, and there are many others within walking or driving distance.
The Folsom Jazz Festival was held on Saturday, and Rio’s groups had another strong showing:
AM- 1st place, AAA division. Finalist. Solo awards to Lucas Bere, Jeric Rocamora, Jacob Swedlow and Emma Hollis
PM- 3rd place, AA division. Solo awards to Kyle Nixon, Emily Dunning and Jackson Stafford
FM- 4th place, B division. Solo awards to Duncan McElman, Timmy Voet and Neta Galili
Combo 1- 2nd place. Solo awards to Lucas Bere, Jeric Rocamora and Jacob Swedlow
Combo 2- solo awards to Kyle Nixon and Nolan Cyr
Congrats and great job to everyone who performed on Saturday.