Community High jazz combo wins a Downbeat magazine Student Music Award

Unified Field Theory Members include:

Aris Chalin, Piano, 11th Grade

Oliver Mayman, Drums, 12th Grade

Tim Kohn, Saxophones, 11th Grade

Jonah Eichner, Bass, 12th Grade

Jake Lee, Trumpet, 11th Grade

First published in 1934, Downbeat magazine has a global readership. It features articles on performers, reviews of albums, annual critics’ and readers’ polls, listings of international jazz festivals and camps.

Also, this year’s Graduate College winner for the best Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist is Eddie Codrington from Western Michigan University, who is an alumnus of CHS and Pioneer High School jazz groups.

Community High School Jazz Program Director Jack Wagner says many have helped these students in a myriad of ways.

“Congrats to the students and all involved in helping them on their journeys—parents, friends, family, private teachers, ensemble directors, repair persons, administration, board members, camp directors, classroom teachers, guest artists, school staff, adjudicators, collaborators, middle school and elementary music teachers,” he says.

For a chance to see the award-winning Unified Field Theory on stage,  you might want to attend the Community High Jazz Year End Blowout at The Ark on May 20.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. and features all 10 of Community High’s jazz combos.

Admission is $5.