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Jazz musicians from the Sacramento region have made a big impression with Downbeat magazine.
The Rio Americano High School band "Spaghett!" was named the 'Best Jazz Group' in Downbeat Magazine's 33rd Student Music Awards, in the high school band category. The awards will appear in Downbeat Magazine's June issue.
Also picked as a winner by the magazine was Zach Giberson, named 'Outstanding Performer' in the original song category, for his composition "The Ladder". Giberson was also named 'National Winner,' in the jazz arrangement category, for his treatment of Sun Ra's "A Call For All Demons".
Add those awards to two awards that Folsom High School won and an award won by Folsom's Sutter Middle School Jazz Band from magazine this year, and it's clear that the Sacramento region can hold its own with any as regards its high school jazz musicians and ensembles.
And the opportunity to win more awards is not over yet for Rio Americano High School. Members of its AM Ensemble big band are off to New York this week to participate in the Essentially Ellington Festival at Lincoln Center.
