A junior from Hutchinson, Kansas, Brandon has been studying and improvising on drums since the age
of 12. Among his favorite musicians are Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea and jazz legend
Joe Morello, who is also his teacher. He’s already played Carnegie Hall. His favorite musical
style is funk and among his favorite composers is J. S. Bach. He believes that “interpretation
and expression of self through music inspires belief in something much bigger than ourselves.”
Adam is a junior from Utica, New York. He’s been studying music since the age of 6,improvising
since the age of 9, and has written many jazz compositions beginning at age 14. His biggest musical
thrill to date was sitting in with the great Russell Malone in a Manhattan club. Adam began
performing in bars and blues clubs when he was 12 with his younger brother who sings and plays
harmonica.
Pablo is a graduate student from West New York, New Jersey who has been studying music since he was
13. He plays guitar, piano, electric bass and recorder. He began improvising and composing while still
in high school. Herbie Hancock and Jobim are among his favorite composers. While studying at William
Paterson and the Manhattan School ofMusic, Pablo developed a love for arranging. He is a well-rounded
young man with interests in cycling, basketball and philosophy; he is also a full-time music teacher
in the West New York school system.
A graduate student from Avon, Connecticut, Matt began studying music at 10 and now plays all the
saxophones, clarinet and flute. Among his favorite musicians are Coltrane, Bird, Joe Henderson and Ralph
Bowen (RU Jazz Director). He’s composed and arranged many charts for all size groups beginning
at age 16. His favorite musical style is hard bop, and his biggest musical thrill was sitting in with
Michael Brecker at his master class.
Donald is a graduate student from Cleveland, Ohio, who began studying music with drums at 11 and by 14
knew he was going to be a jazz musician. Before graduating from high school he had already played
with the likes of Terence Blanchard, Bobby Watson and Winard Harper. He was awarded a scholarship to
the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory where he studied with jazz greats like Marcus Belgrave, Billy
Hart and Gary Bartz. Donald was commissioned to compose the piece “Stark Winters” for the
independent film Man Cry and has composed a four movement suite for the Jazz Heritage Orchestra
entitled “Spirit of New Orleans.” For Donald, “Music is life.”
Photos by Tony Mottola.