Golden Valley High senior Matthew Vasquez has been selected for the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra at the Monterey Jazz Festival, which will be held on September 25 through the 27. The Next Generation Orchestra is comprised of some of the top high school musicians from across the country and is directed by Grammy-nominated pianist and composer, Gerald Clayton.

 

This year’s group features musicians from New York, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, New Jersey and California. “For any high school student to be selected to perform with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra is an incredible accomplishment and validation of the talent, commitment, and quality of their musicianship,” said Golden Valley Director of Bands and Matthews father Mike Vasquez.  “Many participants in this ensemble from the past have become well-known composers, performers, educators, and music industry professionals around the world.”

 

Matthew Vasquez is one of five trombone players added to the orchestra. He submitted an audition video that included a jazz standard, a blues tune and a ballad. He was notified in June that he was selected to the orchestra. 

 

“I was ecstatic,” he said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, like this is crazy.’ I can't believe I'm going to get to play with these new people who are amazing.”

 

The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra is the latest amazing opportunity to come Matthew Vasquez’s way. Last year, he was selected to participate in the SFJAZZ high school jazz all star program in San Francisco. Over the summer, Matthew was also selected to perform with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis and Juilliard School of Music in New York.  He received a Young Arts scholarship distinction from Miami and was one of 7 students between the ages of 17-22 selected to perform in Colorado with the Telluride Jazz All-stars.

 

“I am very proud of Matthew representing GV, Merced, and California in many of the honor groups he has worked hard to get into each year,” said Mike Vasquez.  “Matthew and several other GV students have represented our community, school, and music program in audition-based performing groups from New York to San Francisco.  The music program at GV has continued to grow in size and accomplishments because of the standard being set by these outstanding and hard working students!  I am proud of them all!”

 

The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra will practice a couple times before performing at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Matthew is looking forward to meeting new people and playing with an all-star group. “I get to meet with so many different and new people from everywhere,” he said. “I get to take from their experiences and put in my experiences from my own life. I love building connections with new people who have the same interests as me. I’m just ecstatic to be a part of this.”

 

Matthew says it’s an honor to represent the Cardinal Regime when he’s selected for these elite groups. He’s grateful for his four years with the Golden Valley band and all the friends he’s made and opportunities that have come his way through music.

 

“There are so many great people, and there have been so many great opportunities that the Cardinal Regime has given me in general,” Matthew said. “We’re like a big family and the family only gets bigger with 250 in our band this year. We are very welcoming, as part of the band council, we strive to create a better community within our band.”

 

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.