(MADISON, NJ) -- The New Jersey Jazz Society funds annual partial scholarship grants at five New Jersey universities with degree programs in jazz studies: Montclair State, New Jersey City University, Rowan, William Paterson, and Rutgers. This year’s scholarships totaled $7,900. On Sunday, May 19th, scholarship winners from four of those schools will perform as part of an All-Star College Ensemble at the NJJS monthly jazz social held at Shanghai Jazz in Madison.
Rowan University: Drummer Thomas Reilly and trumpeter Luis Ozoria. Reilly began his studies of jazz drumming, arranging, and composing with Bernards High School band director Fred Trumpy. Ozoria is from Galloway, NJ, attended Absegami High School, and currently lives in Absecon. In addition to playing in the Rowan Jazz Band, Ozoria plays with the Philadelphia Wind Symphony.
New Jersey City University: Trombonist-vocalist Myles McGowan of Lodi and drummer Chris Paredes of Paterson are co-recipients of the Don Robertson Scholarship. Paredes identifies drummer Tim Horner as his most influential teacher.
William Paterson University: Tenor saxophonist Griffin Ross of Hillsborough, NC, is the winner of the Jack Stine Scholarship. Griffin has studied with Branford Marsalis.
Montclair State University: Trombonist Vito Cakaroglu of Tottenville High School on Staten Island has been awarded the NJ Jazz Society Board of Directors scholarship.
Joining the scholarship winners in the jazz social performance will be: Glen Ridge guitarist Benjamin Samuelson, Jersey City vocalist Jackie Gage, pianist Galo Inga, a graduate of Newark's Arts High School; and bassist James Nascimento, a resident of Staten Island.
Contributions to the NJ Jazz Society scholarship fund can be made by sending checks payable to NJJS Scholarship to NJJS Scholarship, c/o Mike Katz, 382 Springfield Ave., Suite 217, Summit, NJ 07901 or by credit card on njjs.org. NJJS is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, and all contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.
Admission to the socials is free for New Jersey Jazz Society members and $10 for non-members. There is also a $10 food/beverage minimum. Doors open at 3:00pm; music begins at 3:30pm. Shanghai Jazz is located at 24 Main St. in Madison. For more information, email music@njjs.org, or call 973 214-3380.
Funding for the New Jersey Jazz Society socials has been made possible in part by Morris Arts through the N.J. State Council on the Arts/Department of State a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.