<strong>Jersey</strong>Articles<strong>Jazz</strong><strong>New</strong> <strong>Jersey</strong> <strong>Jazz</strong> <strong>Society</strong>2007 Scholarship Recipient ProfilesAs in previous years, scholarship grants were awarded at <strong>the</strong> Pee Wee Russell Memorial Stompto four deserving students pursuing degrees in <strong>Jazz</strong> Studies at each of <strong>the</strong> four <strong>New</strong> <strong>Jersey</strong>Universities <strong>off</strong>ering such degree programs, as well as two grants to Rutgers jazz studies studentsthrough an endowment established with <strong>the</strong> Rutgers Foundation in memory of Pee Wee Russell.The six students performed as a sextet to open <strong>the</strong> Stomp. Here are brief profiles of <strong>the</strong> studentsand p<strong>hot</strong>os of <strong>the</strong>m performing at <strong>the</strong> Birchwood Manor on March 4.Rudy Royston, Drummer, Rutgers University (Bill Walters Scholarship)Rudy hails from Denver, Colorado and is working toward a master’s degree in 2008. He hasstudied music since <strong>the</strong> age of six and began writing music at 16, with about 30 tunes in hisbook of work. Among his favorite composers are Duke Ellington, John Williams and Mozart.His musical inspirations are God, his wife and his children.Robert Edwards, Trombonist, <strong>New</strong> <strong>Jersey</strong> City University(Don Robertson Scholarship)Robert is a junior undergraduate who grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida and now livesin Hoboken. He has been studying music since <strong>the</strong> age of six, when he began piano lessons.He started writing music at <strong>the</strong> age of 10 and started improvising on <strong>the</strong> trombone at 15.His favorite musicians are Roy Hargrove and Brad Meldau and his favorite composers areBach and Wayne Shorter.Mark Przybylowski, Bassist, Rowan University (Jack Stine Scholarship)Mark is a senior student and a native of Green Brook, <strong>New</strong> <strong>Jersey</strong>. His first instrument was <strong>the</strong>trombone, which he started on in <strong>the</strong> third grade. He <strong>the</strong>n moved on to guitar and finally settledon <strong>the</strong> bass. He got <strong>the</strong> jazz bug in his junior year in high school and his list of favorite musiciansincludes Bill Evans and Ron Carter. “I create my best music when I surrender to it,” Mark says.Dave Pollack, Alto Saxophonist, William Paterson University(Warren Vaché, Sr. Scholarship)Dave is 19 years old and was born and raised in Hamilton, <strong>New</strong> <strong>Jersey</strong>. He plays four o<strong>the</strong>rinstruments including piano and trumpet. He began improvising at 13 and writing music at 16.Not surprising that his favorite musicians are John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. Dave hastoured Greece with <strong>the</strong> Philadelphia <strong>Jazz</strong> Orchestra and played at <strong>the</strong> Kennedy Center inWashington, DC.Gareth Bane, Baritone Saxophonist, Rutgers UniversityGareth is a Canadian, from Calgary Alberta, who will complete his masters program this May.He plays all <strong>the</strong> reeds and flute as well. His favorite musicians are “too numerous to mention.”Interestingly, his current favorite tune is a classmate’s composition. Gareth is a serious mountainbiker and practices Ashtanga Yoga. His latest composition has been recorded for a new CD release.Jianyi Huang, Pianist, Rutgers UniversityJianyi is from Shanghai, China. He began studying piano at <strong>the</strong> age of seven and went on tostudy at <strong>the</strong> Shanghai Conservatory of Music. He will be awarded <strong>the</strong> Masters Degree in May.Jianyi’s favorite composers are Beethoven, Bach and Pat Me<strong>the</strong>ny. His favorite jazz style isPost Bop. He’s been writing music for six years and his biggest musical thrill was playing at<strong>the</strong> Montreal Festival.The staff of <strong>the</strong> Rutgers Foundation and <strong>the</strong> jazz studies program directors and <strong>the</strong>ir staffsat <strong>the</strong> four universities are <strong>the</strong> exclusive judges in selecting <strong>the</strong> scholarships recipients.JJP<strong>hot</strong>os by Tony Mottola.30 April 2007 <strong>Jersey</strong><strong>Jazz</strong>
Now available,a new book byTerence M. Ripmaster,former NJJSPresident andauthor ofBucky Pizzarelli:A Life In Music.Call 1-877-288-4737 to order,or visit www.iUniverse.comApril 2007 <strong>Jersey</strong><strong>Jazz</strong> 31
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