Milwaukee Jazz Institute Ensemble Earns Honor in Prestigious Downbeat Student Music Awards
Recognition further highlights Milwaukee’s growing reputation as a hub for emerging jazz talent
MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee Jazz Institute’s (MJI’s) “A” Train Ensemble has earned an award in the 49th Annual DownBeat Student Music Awards program, one of the most respected and competitive recognitions in jazz education.
Directed by MJI co-founder and artistic director Mark Davis, the ensemble received recognition for Outstanding Performance as a High School Honors Ensemble in the Small Jazz Combo category.
Established in 1976, the DownBeat Student Music Awards are widely considered the gold standard in jazz education. Winners are selected by panels of internationally respected jazz performers and educators, with thousands of student musicians from around the world submitting recordings annually.
“I’m incredibly proud of these students. They are highly talented musicians and wonderful people, and it comes across in their music,” said Davis. “This is a tremendous honor for them, which reflects the level of work, collaboration, and artistic growth happening at Milwaukee Jazz Institute.”
The “A” Train Ensemble features:
- Samuel Caiola on piano
- Emmet Fettig on alto saxophone
- Adrian McCants on drums
- Thomas Renz on bass
Three members of the ensemble are graduating seniors who will continue pursuing music at the collegiate level this fall. Samuel Caiola will attend Northern Illinois University, Emmet Fettig will attend the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, and Thomas Renz will attend McGill University. Adrian McCants will return to Milwaukee High School of the Arts for his senior year.
The ensemble represents communities across Wisconsin, with students attending high schools in Beloit, Fort Atkinson, Madison, and Milwaukee.
Earlier this year, the “A” Train Ensemble was also invited to compete in the prestigious Charles Mingus Festival & High School Competition in New York for the second consecutive year, placing them among a small group of elite youth jazz programs selected nationwide. During the festival, both Samuel Caiola and Emmet Fettig received recognition as outstanding soloists.
Founded in 2019, Milwaukee Jazz Institute is southeastern Wisconsin’s only nonprofit dedicated exclusively to year-round jazz education and performance. Through ensembles, workshops, mentorship, and live performance opportunities, MJI serves students ages 11 to 75+ while helping cultivate the next generation of musicians, educators, and creative leaders.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Jazz Institute
