Directed by esteemed educator and performer Paul Contos, the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Orchestra comprises 24 of the finest young Bay Area jazz musicians, selected annually by competitive audition. The ensemble has appeared at the San Francisco Jazz Festival, SFJAZZ Spring Season, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Competition, Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, the Jazz Education Network Conference, and at concerts in top professional jazz clubs, festivals, museums, and community arts centers throughout California. Ensemble members enjoy regular workshops, master classes and mentoring sessions with leading artists, such as members of the SFJAZZ Collective, Terence Blanchard, Yusef Lateef, and Vijay Iyer.
The rewards are evident in their "dynamite" (JazzTimes) performances, which give “testimony to the continuing persistence of the creative spirit” (Los Angeles Times). "These kids are amazing," wrote the San Jose Mercury News, "jazz has a future!"
2012-2013 Orchestra Members:
Saxophones
Howard Dietz, alto, Morgan Hill, Valley Christian High School
Eric Nakanishi, alto, Pleasant Hill, Northgate High School
Michael Blasky, tenor, San Rafael, Marin Academy
Kshimon Stevenson, tenor, Novato, Marin School of the Arts
Nico Scolieri, baritone, San Francisco, SF School of the Arts
Trumpets
Jason Seavey, Greenbrae, Redwood High School
Daniel Bereket, San Carlos, Carlmont High School
Alan Osmundson, Walnut Creek, Las Lomas High School
Arbel Efraty, San Francisco , Lowell High School
Bryan Louie, Salinas, Stevenson School
Trombones
Matthew Blankinship, Albany, Albany High School
Hanne Williams-Baron, San Francisco, SF School of the Arts
Ruben Sandoval, Daly City, SF School of the Arts
Jasim Perales, Oakland, Oakland School of the Arts
Robbie Henderson, Brentwood, Liberty High School
Piano
Matt Wong, San Francisco, San Francisco University High School
Guitar
Sam Klein-Markman, Berkeley, Berkeley High School
Bass
Logan Kane, Pleasanton, Amador Valley High School
Kanoa Mendenhall, Pacific Grove, Valley Christian High School
Percussion
Zev Shearn-Nance, drums, Tiburon, Redwood High School
Benjamin Ring, drums, Piedmont, Piedmont High School
Ahkeel Mestayer, percussion, San Francisco, SF School of the Arts
Auxiliary:
Voice/Flute: Elena Pinderhughes, Berkeley, Berkeley High School
Alternates:
Alto Saxophones/Clarinet: Anthony Ferrara, Matthew Stubbs (clarinet)
Tenor Saxophones: Hugo Shiboski, Cole Jordan
Flute: Maureen Sides
Trumpet: Callista Wells, Ben Cohen-Stillman
Piano: Jackson Clawson, Joey Grimes
Hammond B3: Kevin Coelho
Guitar: Dalton Yoder
Drums: Carson Messer, Cy Grimsich, Rohan Punamia, Alijah Rubin
Mentorship program (alpha order):
Sasha Berliner, vibes
Alex Farrell, bass
Laetitia Galeazzi, trumpet
Ele-Salif Howell, drums
Joseph Sabados, trumpet
Espen Scheuer, alto sax
Marcus Veal, trumpet
Jason Zucker, piano
