Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
Flea Finds His Jazz Thing
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
The winners of the 2004/2005 ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards have been announced. The program, established in 2002, was created to encourage American jazz composers to create new works. Composers from throughout the United States ranging in age from 12 to 30 competed for the cash awards. The winning works were selected through a juried national competition.
“The young talents nurtured by this program represent the future of this uniquely American art form,” said ASCAP Foundation President Marilyn Bergman. “We congratulate the recipients and extend thanks to the dedicated panel of ASCAP composers who selected the winners.”
The 2004/2005 ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Award recipients are: Michael Blanco, 28, Astoria, NY; Robert Borgstede, 25, Troy, IL; Maurice Brown, 24, New Orleans, LA; Patrick Cornelius, 26, Astoria, NY; Zaccai Curtis, 22, Windsor, CT, Jesse Elder, 21, Rochester, MI; Jason Flatley, 23, Baltimore, MD, Quamon Fowler, 24, Lubbock, TX; Jason Goldman, 29, South Pasadena, CA; David Guidi, 26, Austin, TX; Eric Hirsh, 20, Carrboro, NC; Pascal Le Boeuf, 18, Santa Cruz, CA; Remy Le Boeuf, 18, Santa Cruz, CA; Richard K Parker, 26, Greenwich, CT; Christopher Pattishall, 18, Durham, NC; Nate Radley, 29, Astoria, NY; Bob Reynolds, 27, Astoria, NY; Daniel Riera, 17, San Francisco, CA; Sherisse Rogers, 26, Brooklyn, NY; Matt Savage, 12, Francestown, NH; Jeff Schneider, 17, Cos Cob, CT; Joey Schneider, 16, Novato, CA; Jaleel Shaw, 26, Paterson, NJ; and Manuel Valera, 24, Brooklyn, NY.
The following composers were recognized with Honorable Mention: Randy Bauer, 29, Princeton, NJ; Dan Cavanagh, 26, St Paul, MN; Alan Ferber, 30, Brooklyn, NY; Jimmy Greene, 29, Hartford, CT; Alex Heitlinger, 24, Jersey City, NJ; Jeremy Kittel, 20, Ann Arbor, MI; Wade Ridenhour, 17, St. James, MO; Tyson Rogers, 29, Durham, NC; Sam Sadigursky, 25, Brooklyn, NY; Charles Schiermeyer, 23, Redmond, WA; James Westfall, 23, Los Angeles, CA.
The ASCAP composer/judges for the 2004/2005 competition were: John Fedchock, Phil Markowitz and Rufus Reid.
The ASCAP Foundation supports the American composer and the development of American music through educational programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants to young composers, music education programs, and public service projects for senior composers and lyricists. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and music lovers throughout the United States.
“Cerebral and academic thought is a different way to approach music,” Flea says of his continuing dive into jazz. “I’ve always relied on emotion and intuition and physicality.”
Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
Cécile McLorin Salvant busts out Jelly Roll Morton’s “The Murder Ballad” at Big Ears, here with pianist Sullivan Fortner.
Apr 7, 2026 1:21 PM
There’s pluralism, then there’s PLURALISM! — and then there’s Big Ears. Thurston Moore, who participated in…
Each of the 25 JAMs has delivered a poster featuring a jazz legend that is sent out to schools across the nation. This year’s poster features Tony Bennett.
Mar 30, 2026 10:20 PM
Every April for the past quarter century, something remarkable has happened across the United States and far beyond.…
“We thought it’s important that Ronin has a new statement,” said Nik Bärtsch of his band’s latest album, Spin. “The sound is differently produced, so it reflects more of who we are.”
Apr 21, 2026 10:00 AM
Nik Bärtsch cuts an imposing figure on stage. He’s unmistakable with his soul patch, shaven head and black attire.…
Bollani demonstrates at the piano during a live Blindfold Test in Umbria, Italy, while writer Ashley Kahn, right, and translator Greg Burk look on.
Mar 24, 2026 11:42 AM
Raconteur, bon vivant and popular television host Stefano Bollani is also one of Italy’s best-known pianists, a rare…
