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Eight San Jose-based musical acts are among 20 Bay Area recipients of a $1,000 grant from San Jose Jazz.
SJZ’s Jazz Aid Fund has awarded $208,000 in grants and performance fees since 2021, leading to the creation of 140 new works. From Feb. 19-March 6, 2027, a handful of the 20 new grantees will premiere their commissions in a series of shows at the SJZ New Works Fest.
Recipients are hand-picked through recommendations by Bay Area critics, presenters, curators and fellow artists. San Jose grant awardees include Bennett Roth-Newell, a jazz pianist, composer, emcee and educator who won the Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist Award in 2024. He has taught at Stanford Jazz Workshop and San Jose State University.
Michael Webster is a San Jose-based saxophonist and composer. He earned his degree in jazz studies from San Jose State University and played in the inaugural San Jose Youth Symphony Jazz Orchestra. He has performed with the 7th Street Big Band, Frunkyman and his own quartet at venues across the South Bay.
Grammy-winning baritone saxophonist and composer Aaron Lington is coordinator of jazz studies at San Jose State University and director of the San Jose J...