The U of A Latin American Ensemble, directed by Fernando Valencia, is the winner of DownBeat magazine's Award for Best Ensemble in the Latin Jazz category at the graduate level. The 15-piece ensemble submitted recordings of "Junio 73" by Willie Colón and "Maria Cervantes" by Noro Morales for the competition. 

"This is such an honor for the students and a tribute to their musicianship, hard work and dedication to get into the field of Latin American music," said Valencia, who has been the director of the Latin American Ensemble for 12 years. The Latin American Ensemble, part of the jazz studies program in the Department of Music, typically performs several times per semester both on and off campus. The course is open to all majors by audition each semester.

Uniquely, the ensemble features student participation as composers and arrangers in addition to performers. The curriculum mirrors the evolution of Latin American music over time, and many students have had no previous experience playing in the genre. "Including this kind of music is critical in a contemporary program because of its profound influence on the many different musics in the 21st-century," said Jake Hertzog, coordinator of the jazz program.

Alan Gosman, chair of the Department of Music, said the group's recognition is an amazing honor. "The excellence of our department's Latin American Ensemble and Fernando Valencia's direction is well known in our community, but it is very exciting that this group is also being recognized by one of the most prestigious student awards in jazz education."

As a celebration of the group's achievement, Valencia will be bringing the Latin American Ensemble into the studio to record an album next year. The group will also perform at the Department of Music's commencement ceremony to celebrate this award announcement.

Check out the Latin American Ensemble's latest recording at the top of the page.

About DownBeat Awards: DownBeat is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond." It is named after the "downbeat" in music, also called "beat one", or the first beat of a musical measure.  Established in 1976, the DownBeat Student Music Awards are considered the most prestigious awards in jazz education. Hundreds of musicians, music educators and music industry professionals received their first international recognition as DownBeat Student Music Award winners.

About the Department of Music: The Department of Music in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1951, has been a chartered member of Pi Kappa Lambda since 1984. Home to over 300 music majors and minors and more than 35 graduate students, the department has a faculty of 50 nationally and internationally recognized scholars, pedagogues, and musicians. Our program offers degrees at the bachelor and master levels and offers an intensive one-year performer's certificate. The department is an All-Steinway School, and offers students a number of recognized ensembles, many of which have toured nationally and internationally.