Two WMU student jazz groups secure national outstanding performance awards
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University’s jazz studies program is boasting two awards for undergraduate groups from international DownBeat magazine in its 48th annual Student Music Awards.
The Fourtunate Cats and Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble secured outstanding performance 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 the genre in the United States.
“Each year our students undertake recordings to submit to the Downbeat Student Music Awards. This invaluable opportunity is underwritten by a generous donation from Richard and Ruth Sproul and gives our students real-world experience,” says Dr. Andrew Rathbun, jazz studies chair in the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music. “We are very proud of this year’s winners and of the guidance provided by the faculty who coach their groups.”
DownBeat 2025 Student Music Award recipients from Western
The Fourtunate Cats
- Director Gregory Jasperse, assistant professor of applied jazz voice
- Lucas Daunt of Davison, Michigan, bass vocals
- Liam Drzewicki of Kalamazoo, drums
- Aaron King of Jackson, Michigan, tenor vocals
- Katie O'Brien of Geneva, Illinois, soprano vocals
- Noah Prince of Grand Rapids, Michigan, upright bass
- Grant Rupp of Marshall, Michigan, piano
- Jaidyn Spears of Naperville, Illinois, alto vocals
Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble
- Director Carlo De Rosa, professor of jazz bass
- Blaine Forsyth of Tawas City, Michigan, tenor saxophone
- Jormilit Garcia of Miami, Florida, vocals
- Luca Lavis of Grand Rapids, Michigan, baritone and alto saxophone
- Carson Lindor of Denver, Colorado, backing vocals
- Chris Majure of St. Charles, Illinois, percussion
- Rohan Marr of West Chicago, Illinois, drums
- Donovan Meeusen of Holland, Michigan, upright bass
- Luke Mortensen of North Olmsted, Ohio, flute, alto and soprano saxophone
- Kyle Peterson of Petoskey, Michigan, electric guitar
- Justin Rodriguez of Plainwell, Michigan, trumpet
- Colin Woniewski of Byron Center, Michigan, trombone
- Luisa Zúñiga of Colombia, piano
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