DENTON (UNT), Texas 鈥� The professor of jazz saxophone received the Ellis Marsalis Jr. Jazz Educator of the Year Award by the .
The award, which was celebrated in the June issue of , is named after the legendary jazz educator to recognize an 鈥渙utstanding college or university educator in the field of jazz, who represents the highest standards of teaching and whose results have brought distinction to their institution and their students.鈥�
UNT's College of Music, Brad Leali, professor of jazz saxophone and recipient of the Ellis Marsalis Jr. Educator of the Year Award
A distinguished saxophonist and educator, Leali has performed with renowned groups and artists and has made a significant impact on jazz education as a professor at UNT. Known for his student-focused teaching and artistic excellence, he inspires his students to achieve their full potential, earning recognition from the Jazz Education Network for his contributions to the jazz community.鈥�
鈥淧rofessor Brad Leali has been 鈥� and continues to be 鈥� a major influencer in jazz performance, jazz education, and performance across so many musical genres,鈥� said John W. Richmond, Ph.D., professor and dean of UNT鈥檚 College of Music. 鈥淗is impact on the student success of jazz saxophonists here in the UNT College of Music Division of Jazz Studies has been immeasurable and sets a standard the inspires his colleagues across the globe. We could not be more fortunate to have such a consequential jazz artist/teacher on our faculty.鈥�
In addition, numerous UNT music students were recognized in the . Congratulations to our students:
| Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist Graduate College Bailey Ehrgott, guitar |
Original Composition (Large Ensemble) |
| Jazz Arrangement College/Graduate Outstanding Arrangement Big Band Teresa Um, Airegin |
Original Composition (Small Ensemble/Combo) College/Graduate Teresa Um, Wheel of Chronicles |
| Jazz Arrangement College/Graduate Vocal Ensemble Reagan Garza, Eleanor Rigby Jennifer Barnes, director |
Small Jazz Ensemble/Combo College/Graduate Outstanding Soloist Jack Phillips, Trumpet Greenhouse Combo |
| Large Jazz Ensemble College/Graduate Outstanding Performance Ensemble Viento Across Borders Richard DeRosa, director |
Small Jazz Ensemble/Combo College/Graduate Outstanding Soloist Runsheng Zhao, Guitar Greenhouse Combo |
| Large Jazz Ensemble College/Undergraduate Outstanding Performance The Five O鈥機lock Lab Band Harlan Hodges, director |
Small Jazz Ensemble/Combo College/Undergraduate Outstanding Soloist Jonathan Arcangel, Tenor Saxophone Jonathan Arcangel Quartet |
| Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble (10+ musicians) Graduate College Outstanding Performance UNT Jazz Singers Jennifer Barnes, director |
Small Vocal Jazz Ensemble/Combo (3-9 musicians) College/Undergraduate Surround Sound Jennifer Barnes, director |
| Outstanding Soloist Ava Ramsey on 鈥淐heek to Cheek鈥� |
Outstanding Soloist Sasha Garcia on 鈥淪o Cool鈥� |
| Outstanding Soloist Luke Bielfeldt on 鈥淕reen Dolphin Street鈥� |
Vocal Jazz Soloist College/Undergraduate Outstanding Performance Sasha Garcia |
| Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble High School Honors Outstanding Performance ACDA National Honor Jazz Choir Jennifer Barnes, director |
Vocal Jazz Soloist College/Undergraduate Hannah Goodwin |
|
Latin Group College/Graduate |
Vocal Jazz Soloist Graduate College Outstanding Performance Brooke Lambert |
From 鈥� Music