Western's jazz program captures four 2024 DownBeat magazine Student Music Awards

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University’s jazz studies program is boasting four awards from international magazine DownBeat in its 47th annual Student Music Awards. View the issue.

Two recent alumni and two small jazz groups secured awards in what’s considered the most prestigious competition in jazz education. WMU Jazz has a long 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,” says Dr. Andrew Rathbun, jazz studies chair in the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music.

DownBeat 2024 Student Music Award Recipients

The winners 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 WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.