Two Grove students selected for All Star Jazz Band

Academy of Arts & Minds Seniors Andres Gonzalez (left) and Sebastian Delgado have been selected for the Adrienne Arsht Center's All Stars Jazz Band, a new student band that will be featured at a free concert at the Arsht Center's Carnival Studio Theater on February 12.

Gonzalez explained that the audition was recorded instead of in front of live judges. " was very nervous, but as soon as I started playing, the fear vanished and I became the music. I feel blessed to be chosen." Sebastian Delgado summed it up by saying, "I am very excited to work under Ed Calle," who will be directing the band's rehearsals and performance.

On January 25, some of the best aspiring jazz musicians in the county auditioned for the jazz band at South Miami Senior High for the blind auditions, a process where the judges don't know who the musician is that is playing on the recording.

The band members will gather again for several rehearsals prior to the February 12 performance, which is at 7:30 pm. Admission is free. For additional information, contact Eva Bordeaux Silverstein, PR Coordinator, Arienne Arsht Center, at 786-468-2323 or esilverstein@arshtcenter.

Photo by A&M Photography student Brooke Baumgartner.