L to R: Joey Kim-Weigandt, Willow Chambers, Krista Sims, Maya Proulx, Patti Austin, Che Tafari, Ronnie Heard, Rhydian Marshall, and Collier Keitany. Photo by Craig Allyn Photography.
Two San Gabriel Valley students—Maya Proulx of Pasadena and Zaire “King” Franklin—both students at the California School of the Arts, were awarded $2,000 music education grants from the Jazz Excellence Awards, November 7, following a private musical performance class with Grammy-winning R&B, pop and jazz singer-songwriter Patti Austin, in nearby Highland Park.
A total of 20 musicians who range in age from 12 to 22 received music education grants from the Jazz Excellence Awards (JEXA) a nonprofit founded by Jerome Pittman, a pediatrician who sings at open mic nights around Los Angeles.
“You sound seasoned already, now you just need to marinate,” Austin told the students. “Wrap yourself in your music, family and your support system and you’ll be fine.”
The non-profit is dedicated to supporting emerging musicians and preserving jazz music. A student drummer, bassist, saxophonist, pianist and three vocalists performed for Austin at a spacious home studio, as proud parents looked on.
The JEXA gala November 9 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel will honor grant winners as well as leaders and mentors in the L.A. music community. The event will feature a performance by Patti Austin with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band.
More information is available at https://www.jexaawards.org/.
