First up for this evening that showcases brilliant young jazz musicians are the Jazz at Dusk students supported by the Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame. This program is designed to help preserve, promote and support jazz education while reaching out to those special high school students wanting to learn more about our area’s rich jazz history and beyond. They typically perform to a live audience at a club/restaurant atmosphere like Latitudes, Caffé Vivace or Lytle Park Hotel. Tonight, they are on the big stage at Seasongood under the direction of Spencer Merk, Walnut Hills High School.

Artists, Jazz at Dusk:

Kosta Brunson-Trombone

Lucas Campbell-Saxophones

Reagan Lisch-Drums

Sam Kingsbury-Piano

Sophia Troyer-Bass and Vocals

Roman Saltarelli-Piano

The CPS Jazz Academy is directed by Dr. Isidore Rudnick and they are taking the world by storm. Last year we awarded them with a stipend for their program. This year they are taking over the Seasongood stage before they head to Barcelona Spain in September for an international jazz festival. The program began in 2019 with the Kennedy Heights Art Center. They are one of the only after- school jazz programs in the country to offer full scholarships to all students in the academy. CPS Jazz Academy is “helping students grow, not only in jazz but in music and life.”

Artists, CPS Jazz Academy:

Tia Watkins - Flute

Ruby Lewis - Clarinet

Lenora Minnillo - Alto Sax

Eloise Hebard - Tenor Sax

George Ewing - Trumpet

Ben Arora - Trumpet

Jonas Hill - Trumpet

Cadence Okuwobi - Bass

Frankie McHenry - Piano

Carolina Junewick - Drums