Select 1 Combo Earns Charles Mingus Spirit Award
The Rivers Select 1 Combo spent this past weekend in Manhattan at the 2015 Charles Mingus High School Jazz Competition. The quartet was one of just three ensembles in the non-Performing Arts High school category selected as finalists from the nationwide competition and was the recipient of the Mingus Spirit Award.
The Spirit Award is, in the words of Sue Mingus, “the most important award at the competition” as it is given to the ensemble whose spirit best reflects the unique style of the late Charles Mingus. Rachel Hawley ’15 was awarded an honorable mention for her performances on bass.
Justin DiCioccio Jazz chair of the Manhattan school of music and chef judicator for the competition commented “the Rivers students get better and better every time we hear them, which is a testament to the strength of the Rivers jazz program”
“The combo performed with outstanding musicality and great interplay,” said combo director Philippe Crettien. “They took risks and succeeded as group. I am so pleased and moved with the Combo’s performance both on and off the bandstand. This is another testament to the amazing community we have at Rivers and it was truly an amazing weekend for our students.”
The combo is comprised of Rachel Hawley on bass, John Nydam ’15 on piano, Jake Stenquist ’15 on drums, and Michael Manasseh ’19 on the vibraphone.
Click here to listen to the Select 1 Combo perform “Nostalgia in Times Square.”
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