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San Diego's High School Ensemble Wins Coveted Jazz Award

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Young Lions Jazz Conservatory is proud to announce that New Soil Ensemble has won the prestigious Downbeat Student Music Awards for High School Honors Ensemble Outstanding Performance.
San Diego's Young Lions Jazz Conservatory (YLJC) is proud to announce that New Soil Ensemble has won the prestigious Downbeat Student Music Awards for High School Honors Ensemble Outstanding Performance. The DownBeat awards are considered among the most coveted student honors in the music industry. This is the 46th annual Student Music Awards which were launched in 1976. Ensembles from YLJC have received this honor for four consecutive years.

Entries are adjudicated solely on the basis of ability as demonstrated on the candidate recordings. Among the criteria considered are musicianship, creativity, improvisation, technique and excitement. The judges are all respected professional musicians and educators. All entries are judged “blind" (no student, group or school names identified).

YLJC founder and artistic director, Gilbert Castellanos commenting on this achievement said, “These young talented musicians are representing San Diego on so many levels! The future is extremely bright in the world of music! I am their biggest fan!"

This is what some of the ensemble members had to say about their interest in jazz and how Young Lions Jazz Conservatory has influenced their lives.

Ethan Fairclough (bass): To me, music education teaches how one can express themselves musically and find one's unique sound. I believe YLJC teaches you how to apply these lessons outside of the conservatory into the real world (how to work). YLJC gives real music education from real musicians.

Joey Kim-Weigandt (piano): Originally a classical pianist, I discovered jazz when I joined Young Lions Jazz Conservatory; I immediately grew fond of the art style for its freedom and improvisational experiences. I am excited to be part of the New Soil Ensemble... It's been a privilege to perform these compositions at exciting venues around San Diego. I'm extremely grateful for Gilbert Castellanos, who is an amazing mentor and teacher, and for the other talented instructors. They have inspired me to one day pursue jazz studies in college and to become a professional musician.

Elijah Marrewa (drums): I could always tell that music was what I was meant to do. Young Lions Jazz Conservatory has helped me gain a deeper understanding and love of the music. I've been so lucky to be given so many chances and amazing opportunities to be able to grow as a musician and person.


Congratulations to all of the young lions that comprise the New Soil Ensemble. Nick Caldwell (tenor saxophone), Taichi Okumura (alto saxophone), Joey Kim-Weigandt (piano), Ethan Fairclough (bass), and Elijah Marrewa (drums).

Photo: Left to right: Elija Marrewa, Nick Caldwell, Taichi Okumura, Ethan Fairclough, and Joey Kim-Weigandt.

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