Monterey Announces Members of Student Orchestra

  I  

The Monterey Jazz Festival has announced the members of its 2008 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, the fest’s high school all-star big band.

The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra nurtures the future generation of jazz stars through a program that selects the best and brightest high school jazz musicians in the country. In 2008, the 21-piece jazz orchestra features members selected from 18 high schools.

Under the direction of Paul Contos, the orchestra includes:

Saxophones:
John Palowitch, alto***
Hailey Niswanger, alto
Adam Larson, tenor**
Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, tenor
Owen Broder, baritone**

Trombones:
John Egizi
Javier Nero**
Stephen Szabadi**
Natalie Cressman
Emmanuel Rojas, bass

Trumpets:
Blake Martin
Kevin Early**
Gabe Medd
Nick Frenay**
Noah Hocker

Rhythm:
Emmet Cohen, piano
Mike Gurrola, bass
Armand Hirsch, guitar
Jimmy Macbride, drums
Daniel Nadeau, drums
Richard Saunders, vocals
** 2-time member of NGJO; *** 3-time member of NGJO

More info: montereyjazzfestival.org



  • Ted_Nash_Alexa_Tarantino_by_Gilberto_Tadday_copy.jpg

    As Ted Nash, left, departs the alto saxophone chair for LCJO, Alexa Tarantino steps in as the band’s first female full-time member.

  • Coltrane_John_008_copy_2.jpg

    “This is one of the great gifts that Coltrane gave us — he gave us a key to the cosmos in this recording,” says John McLaughlin.

  • 2tx3p_BNJF2025LineupApr11080x1350--1_copy.jpg

    The Blue Note Jazz Festival New York kicks off May 27 with a James Moody 100th Birthday Celebration at Sony Hall.

  • Ethan_Iverson_by_David_Moressi_2024_copy.jpg

    “I’m certainly influenced by Geri Allen,” said Iverson, during a live Blindfold Test at the 31st Umbria Jazz Winter festival.

  • Isaiah_Collier_by_Michael_Jackson_2025.jpg

    “At the end of the day, once you’ve run out of differences, we’re left with similarities,” Collier says. “Cultural differences are mitigated through 12 notes.”


On Sale Now
May 2025
Branford Marsalis
Look Inside
Subscribe
Print | Digital | iPad