The Fresno State Jazz Orchestra was recognized in DownBeat Magazine for its “Undergraduate College Outstanding Performance” in its 48th annual Student Music Awards. The distinction places them among the top four in the international competition, with Butler University and Lawrence University named winners and Berklee College of Music also achieving an outstanding performance.
“It’s a crazy feeling of just love and admiration for those students and knowing all the hard work that we’ve all been putting in has paid off for them to get recognized on a world stage,” said Richard Lloyd Giddens Jr., director of jazz studies. “It’s incredible to be honored and see Fresno State’s name next to Berklee College of Music, Frost School of Music and Eastman School of Music, all of these big powerhouse schools, and we’re right there.”
The Fresno State Jazz Orchestra has consistently been one of the top jazz ensembles on the West Coast for over four decades. The history of the ensemble includes first-place awards at the Reno Jazz Festival and the Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival. The group has appeared in Europe, Japan and many festivals throughout the United States. Under Giddens’ leadership, they have performed with several notable guest artists, including Mary Halvorson, Gerald Clayton, Melissa Aldana, Keyon Harrold, Rachel Eckroth, Francisco Torres and Damion Reid.
The ensemble recorded a live album at the Fresno State Concert Hall in April, which will be released this fall.
