New Orleans students, alumni shine at jazz event

The University of New Orleans (UNO) was a big hit at the Jazz Education Network Conference recently hosted by the city.

The event opened on a high note with Delfeayo Marsalis’s Uptown Jazz Orchestra performing in front of a crowded grand ballroom. UNO alumni in the orchestra included pianist Megan Swartz, bassist David Pulphus, alto saxophonist Khari Allen Lee, tenor saxophonist Jeronne Ansari, clarinetist Gregory Agid and trumpeter Andrew Baham.

Not to be outdone, the UNO Guitar Ensemble wowed thanks to students LaCarlton Ross, James Easter, Ari Teitel, Geovane Santos, Jared Buck, Jake Ricke and Xavier Molina, and their director, Steve Masakowski.

The four-day event at the Hyatt Regency brought in more than 4,500 jazz educators and students from around the world. Headliners included Marsalis's brother Branford, Jeff Coffin, Victor Wooten, Sean Jones, Stanton Moore, Astral Project and Randy Brecker.