(NEWARK, NJ) -- April is Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), and WBGO is celebrating by showcasing student ensembles from a variety of local universities and high schools who represent the future of jazz. This year marks the first time school ensembles returned to the WBGO Studios since the start of the pandemic.

The students who perform as part of this series receive a professionally mixed recording and a video of their performance, giving them an opportunity to apply for further workshops and educational opportunities. Throughout the month of April, WBGO will feature music from each of the ensembles on the air at 88.3FM, and through a series of videos on WBGO.org.

Recently students from the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University came into the WBGO Studios for a taping of a special performance by the Dave Stryker Jazz Combo. The students were accompanied by their noted director, who serves as one of the school’s Adjunct Professors.

Noted pianist Oscar Perez serves as Coordinator and Professor of the Jazz Studies Program at the school. The current lineup of Stryker’s Jazz Combo are: Nico Martin (alto sax); Rodrigo Romero (tenor sax); Derick Campos (guitar); Pierce Sparnroft (vibraphone); Felipe Orozco (bass); Zack Perez (drums).

“It was impressive to see Dave work with and jam with his students,” said Carolyn Bednarski, producer of the JAM series at WBGO. “The students from the Cali School of Music really impressed us with their artistry and cohesion. We are happy to present them as the first in a series of special performances during Jazz Appreciation Month.”

Appearing in this series in the coming weeks during Jazz Appreciation Month are ensembles lead by other great musician/educators from the jazz programs of schools such as Rutgers University (led by Robby Ameen), Manhattan School of Music, Newark Arts High School (led by Kennis Ferris, cousin of alumnus Wayne Shorter), City University of New York, William Paterson University (led by Bill Charlap) and New York University (led by Janis Siegel).

Funding for this series was made possible by a generous grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

WBGO is a publicly-supported cultural institution that preserves and promotes jazz, blues, Latin jazz and classic rhythm & blues. From its home base of Newark, New Jersey, public radio station WBGO has long been an anchor institution in community engagement through its music and news programming, live performances and partnerships. WBGO reaches a diverse audience from its broadcast location in America's number one media market, the New York/New Jersey metro area. Through programs such as Jazz Night in America, produced in partnership with NPR and Jazz at Lincoln Center, the organization’s reach extends to millions more across the country, and around the globe through WBGO.org and the WBGO mobile app and social media plus Facebook Live broadcasts. WBGO is broadcast at 88.3 FM in the NY/New Jersey area and may be streamed from WBGO.org.