Western's jazz program captures three 2023 DownBeat magazine Student Music Awards

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University’s jazz studies program is boasting three student soloist awards from international magazine DownBeat in its 46th annual Student Music Awards. The undergraduate students secured the awards in what’s considered the most prestigious competition in jazz education.

“We are thrilled to continue our streak of DownBeat Student Music Awards, with three of our outstanding students being recognized for their work this year. WMU Jazz has a long history of success with DownBeat, one of the oldest publications dedicated to jazz in the United States,” says Dr. Andrew Rathbun, jazz studies chair in the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music. “The Jazz area is planning a busy season next year, and we look forward to new frontiers with our exciting collaborative venture: the Center for Contemporary Music, Improvisation and Experimentation.”

DownBeat 2023 Student Music Award Recipients

The winners from Western are all jazz studies majors:

• Jace Frederick of Plainwell, Michigan, Joe Miller Trio, Tenor Saxophone, Undergraduate College Outstanding Soloist (Keith Hall)

• Anastasia Chubb of Kalamazoo, Michigan, vocal jazz soloist, Undergraduate College Co-Winners (Gregory Jasperse)

• Lillian Alter of Kalamazoo, Michigan, vocal jazz soloist, Undergraduate College Outstanding Performances (Gregory Jasperse)

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