Congratulations to Logan Moore, a senior at Hilliard Davidson High School, and winner of the prestigious 2015 Hank Marr High School Jazz Award. This is one of just a few awards the young saxophonist has received recently including Ohio University Honor Band and superior ratings in both solo and ensemble performances statewide. Logan is a two-year member of the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra and will continue his jazz education at the University of North Texas. Full details from the Jazz Arts Group below:
Columbus, OH –The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) has announced its winner of the 2015 Hank Marr High School Jazz Award. This award demonstrates excellence in musicianship and performance among Ohio’s young students of jazz. A host of extremely talented high school students auditioned for the $500 cash award and the chance to perform with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and Artistic Director Byron Stripling at the August 8th JazZoo! concert at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.
First round judges were Pete Mills, Affiliated Instructor of Saxophone at Denison University; Ben Huntoon, trumpet, and Jazz Education Specialist at Stanton’s Sheet Music; and Ryan Hamilton, trombonist and professor of music at Capital University. The adjudicators reviewed the applications and narrowed the field to three finalists who auditioned with a rhythm section on May 9, 2015 at the Jazz Academy.
This year’s three finalists were Craig Jackson, saxophone, Dayton, OH; Logan Moore, saxophone, Hilliard, OH; and Jake Smith, saxophone, Grove City, OH. Adjudicators for the final round included: Tom Carroll, guitar, Professor of Music, Denison University; Michael Cox, saxophone, Professor of Music at Capital University; and Jon Eshelman, professional pianist/educator and former student of Hank Marr.
The live audition consisted of each finalist performing with professional musicians individually, then as an ensemble. The jurors noted the unique talents of each finalists, and in one of the most highly contested auditions in the history of the award, the 2015 Hank Marr High School Jazz Award winner is Logan Moore.
A senior from Hilliard Davidson High School, Logan has been a two-year member of the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra and has additionally received several accolades, including the Ohio University Honor Band and superior ratings in four years of statewide Solo & Ensemble performances. Logan will continue his music education at the University of North Texas, where he will pursue a Jazz Performance degree. Logan Moore will receive a collection of Jamey Aebersold books, a $500 check and the opportunity to perform with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra at one of its summer JazZoo! concerts.
Runners-up Jackson and Smith will each receive a selection of Jamey Aebersold books for their continued learning in the jazz idiom, gifted by corporate partner Stanton’s Sheet Music. Jackson is a sophomore at Stivers School for the Arts in Dayton, OH, and Smith is a graduating senior at Grove City High School who will continue his music education at Bowling Green State University.
Columbus musical legend Hank Marr was one of the world’s masters of the Hammond B-3 organ. Along with Hank’s celebrity status as a member of the jazz elite, he was a dedicated and gifted educator. In recognition of over fifty years as a performer, teacher, arranger and conductor, the Jazz Arts Group established the Hank Marr High School Jazz Award as a tribute to this special individual. His willingness to “pass it on” makes the encouragement of young jazz artists an important and meaningful activity.
Jazz Arts Group thanks Crabbe, Brown & James for its financial support of the Hank Marr High School Jazz Award and the many individual contributors who knew and loved Hank.