Congratulations

It's that time of year when accomplishments should be recognized and celebrated.  Two of my former students are most deserving of a true pat on the back.

Aaron Nebbia graduated from the Berklee College of Music and was on the Dean's list.  He studied piano with me as a high school student and attended my UConn jazz camps. I believe he was a high school junior when he switched to the string bass and never looked back.  I played a gig with him and his dad recently and can attest that he swings like crazy, knows plenty of tunes and takes great solos.  What more could one ask for in a bassist?

Jimmy Macbride studied with me around the same time.  Drums have always been his primary instrument, but he can certainly get around on the piano.  We also worked together on composition and arranging.  It is in this area that Jimmy was recently honored.  He won a DownBeat Award for his original composition, "Short Stop".  Jimmy is currently a third year student in the jazz program at the Juilliard School, where he studies with Billy Drummond.

Jimmy has the following upcoming (local) performance in Hartford:

Monday, June 4th. 7 PM.
Pond House Cafe, Hartford, CT

The King Philip Middle School's Jazz Band will play the first set, which will include Jimmy's composition Joe's Lament.

Then, Jimmy will play the second set along with pianist Dave Lantz and bassist Raviv Markovitz.

I look forward to hearing these young, fiery, award-winning musicians in action.