Kalamazoo Times

Western Michigan University's jazz studies program has secured four awards from DownBeat magazine in its 47th annual Student Music Awards. Two recent alumni and two small jazz groups received accolades in what is regarded as a prestigious competition in jazz education. WMU Jazz has a history of success with DownBeat, one of the oldest publications dedicated to jazz in the United States.

"We are so proud of this year’s Downbeat Student Music Awards. Adjudicated by top-tier musicians and industry professionals, it’s always so gratifying to see our students' work acknowledged alongside other top music schools in the country. WMU Jazz has a long tradition of winners in the SMAs, and it’s wonderful to see that tradition continue this year," said Dr. Andrew Rathbun, jazz studies chair in the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music.

The 2024 Student Music Award recipients from Western are:

- Lillian Alter, B.M.’23, of Chicago, vocal jazz soloist, Undergraduate College Outstanding Performances (Gregory Jasperse)

- Yoseph Henry, M.M.’24, of Chicago, vocal jazz soloist, Graduate College Outstanding Performances (Gregory Jasperse)

- Gold Company Songbird, Small Vocal Jazz Group Undergraduate College Winner (Gregory Jasperse)

- Owen Cramer Quartet, Small Jazz Combo Undergraduate College Outstanding Performances (Carlo De Rosa)

For more news on WMU's arts and events, visit WMU News online.