Orange County School of the Arts’ (OCSA) distinguished Ambassador Jazz Orchestra (AJO), led by music director and conductor John Reynolds, D.M.A., earned third place among the top-placing jazz bands from across the country at the prestigious 27th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival at Frederick P. Rose Hall, also known as the “House of Swing,” in New York City. In addition to this high honor, OCSA students within AJO were recognized with several section and individual awards during the ceremony on May 8, 2022.
Essentially Ellington is hosted by the legendary Wynton Marsalis at the home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and is known for maintaining the largest jazz education network internationally. OCSA’s AJO was invited to be one of only 15 finalists to compete for top honors at Essentially Ellington out of the hundreds of schools across the nation that applied. Earning this remarkable achievement on such a historically significant jazz stage, and among some of the most renowned jazz musicians, was significant to Reynolds’ guidance as their instructor, conductor and associate director of the Instrumental Music Conservatory.
“I am so incredibly proud of our students. The Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival represents the pinnacle of who we are as musicians. Through the spirit of collaboration, listening, investigation and empathy, we were successful in using our collective musical intelligence to achieve our unifying goal: to swing unabashedly. As Wynton describes it, swing is the art of constant compromise and a continuous act of humility. We are honored to have been part of such a historic event,” said Reynolds.
During the Essentially Ellington festival, students were immersed in a professional level of music through mentoring, jam sessions and educational workshops. Not only were students given the opportunity to share the stage with Marsalis and musicians from Jazz at Lincoln Center, but they were also able to embrace the talent of their fellow artists from the other participating schools, connect with notable musicians from around the world and be inspired by the level of artistry presented.
Individual awards received included:
• Outstanding Rhythm Section
• Outstanding Saxophone Section
• Outstanding Piano – Nathan Tatsuta
• Outstanding Bass – Ryder Mendelson
• Outstanding Drums – Christian St. Marseille
• Outstanding Soprano Saxophone – Luke Toner
• Outstanding Tenor Saxophone – Trent Horio
• Outstanding Baritone Saxophone – Samuel Chung
• Honorable Mention Trombone – Leo Sui
Students in AJO will return to their regular studies, but the monetary award earned at the Essentially Ellington competition will be put toward continuing to improve their already exceptional jazz education program.
About OCSA’s Ambassador Jazz Orchestra
OCSA’s Ambassador Jazz Orchestra (AJO) has won multiple top honors at jazz festivals, including the notable Reno Family Jazz Festival. The orchestra opened for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, consisting of 15 of the world’s finest jazz musicians and led by Wynton Marsalis, at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts at the end of 2021. AJO is part of The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program within OCSA’s Instrumental
Music Conservatory. Members of AJO include:
• Ada Bevacqua, Guitar, Long Beach
• Samuel Chung, Baritone Saxophone, San Juan Capistrano
• Mateo Cruz, Trumpet, Irvine
• James Dechary, Trombone, Aliso Viejo
• Megan Etzel, Piano, Irvine
• Auvin Hajian, Trombone, Irvine
• Trent Horio, Tenor Saxophone, Mission Viejo
• Miri Izenberg, Trumpet, Irvine
• Kiana Kaminski, Piano, Aliso Viejo
• Aidan Luu, Split Lead Alto Saxophone, Garden Grove
• Ryder Mendelson, Bass, Manhattan Beach
• Allison Molin, Trumpet, Mission Viejo
• Ryan Nicolov, Tenor Saxophone, Laguna Hills
• Ian Shin, Lead Trumpet, Irvine
• Christian St. Marseille, Drums, Orange
• Leo Sui, Lead Trombone, Laguna Hills
• Connor Taing, Guitar, Rossmoor
• Nathan Tatsuta, Piano, Irvine
• Luke Toner, Split Lead Alto Saxophone, Huntington Beach
About Orange County School of the Arts
The nationally recognized Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) provides an unparalleled arts and academic education in a creative, challenging and nurturing environment to a diverse student body passionate about the arts, preparing them to reach their highest potential. Founded in 1987 by visionary educator Ralph Opacic, Ed.D. and currently led by President and CEO Teren Shaffer, OCSA serves approximately 2,300 gifted students in grades seven through 12 from more than 100 cities throughout California.
In addition to a college-preparatory academic program, OCSA offers pre-professional arts training in 16 conservatories within the schools of applied arts, dance, fine & media arts, music and theatre. The nonprofit public charter school relies solely on private donations, totaling $13 million annually, to fund the pre-professional arts training programs. For additional information, visit www.ocsarts.net.
