The Roderick D. Jones Memorial Scholarship & Teen Jazz Artists Kick Off The 2012 Gardena Jazz Fest

Aug. 25, 2012 - PRLog -- The Gardena Jazz Festival is set to take place Sunday, August 26, 2012 with this year marking the ten year anniversary of the City of Gardena's Annual Music Festival. The festival has become a destination event for the many thousands of jazz aficionados who flock to Rowley Park year after year to enjoy a day filled with music, food, family and friends.

This year the festival is presenting an ensemble of America's most outstanding Teen Jazz Artists in an unprecedented debut to kick off the inaugural launch of the Roderick D. Jones Memorial Scholarship.

Roderick D. Jones "R.J" was instrumental in bringing the vision of a world class jazz festival to the City of Gardena; a city that he loved and in which he lived and served his entire life. In that spirit, the 2012 Jazz Festival Committee is proud to sponsor the inaugural Roderick D. Jones Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship awards are given to a select group of young jazz artists who submitted outstanding essays in regards to their love for jazz while representing excellence in education as well as a passion to perform the music of"Jazz". "R.J." worked tirelessly as a devoted coach and mentor to the youth in his community and it is in his name and memory that the committee is proud to announce this year's recipients.

Under the direction of celebrated bassist and composer Nedra Wheeler,a graduate of Cal Arts, these outstanding young musicians will perform as the opening act of this year's festival. Their song roster includes straight ahead jazz classic selections including Bags Groove, Summertime, and Bumpin On Sunset to name a few.

The 2012 Gardena Jazz Festival is hosted by Pat Prescott of 94.7 The Wave and is promoted by The Wave, 88.1 Jazz, and other top media outlets. The festival is orchestrated through the efforts of 51st District State Assemblyman Steve Bradford and the Jazz Festival Committee.

Teen Jazz Ensemble & Recipients of the 2012 Roderick D. Jones Memorial Scholarship:

Nicolas Earley; piano, saxophone, vocalist

Giavanna Foster, guitar

Elias Maffia, trumpet

Jamael Dean, pianist

Aisha Gaillard, drums

Darynn Dean, vocalist

Gina Ramirez, bass guitar