PULLMAN, Wash. — Several Washington State University musicians received awards in the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Festival in Greeley, Colo., last month.
Nine members of the WSU Jazz Big Band, directed by Greg Yasinitsky, received special citations for Outstanding Musicianship from the International Association for Jazz Education. “While the festival is noncompetitive for big bands,” Yasinitsky said, “I am proud to tell you that the WSU Jazz Big Band received the highest possible rating.”
In addition, two jazz musicians were honored for individual performances. Saxophonist Scott Ryckman and bassist Jesse Hadley took Outstanding Musicianship honors. WSU received two of only five awards presented to members of college bands at the festival.
One of the largest jazz festivals in the nation, the event attracts guest artists, clinicians, and more than 6,000 college, high school and junior high participants, comprising more than 325 vocal jazz ensembles, big bands and jazz combos.
The trip was financed, in part, by a grant from the WSU Parents Program, a fund made possible by donations from parents of WSU students.
