2010-11 Student Bios
Woodwinds
Alto Sax
Marty Dumaual: “I am currently an Ethnomusicology- Jazz Studies Major. In the future I hope to become a versatile musician that not only plays jazz, but other styles of music such as hip hop and pop. I believe that our eyes are never open enough when it comes to learning.”
Bill Pepper: “I am studying Business Economics at UCLA and play saxophone in the Latin Jazz Big Band. It feels good to continue playing music after high school, especially with a new genre. Aside from working on musicianship, it is really great to learn a little about Latin culture through its music.”
Chi Tran: “I am a saxophone player from San Jose, California and currently a 2nd year psychology student at UCLA. I have found the jazz program and the LatinJazz band in particular to be an incredible experience of artistic expression and raw communication. I continue to find myself blessed by the wisdom of directors such as Dr. Bobby Rodriguez and the lifelong friendships made through music.”
Flute
Carmen Bozina: "I'm a senior in UCLA's ethnomusicology department and this is my fourth year playing in the Latin Jazz Band under Bobby Rodriguez. I am currently writing my thesis on the importance of "son" in the music of renowned Cuban trumpeter and composer, Inaudis Paisan Mallet and am the captain of UCLA's sailing team."
Tenor Sax
Noah Julius-Andrea Rosen: “I am a tenor saxophone player from San Francisco, CA. I have studied music for about ten years and attended San Francisco School of the Arts High School, while studying and playing different forms of jazz under teachers Ken Rosen, Melecio Magdaluyo, and John Calloway: I’m in my second year with the Latin Jazz Band at UCLA, a true honor in my college experience.”
Julian Brown: “I am a first-year Electrical Engineering student at UCLA. I play tenor saxophone in the Latin Jazz Ensemble. I have greatly enjoyed improvising over this musical style and have learned a lot about the fundamentals and traditions of Latin Jazz during my time in this group so far.”
Baritone
Lauren Chu: “I am from Saratoga, California and a second year graduate student in Aerospace Engineering at UCLA and studying Fluid Mechanics and Plasma Physics. When I am not running ion beam experiments at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, I proudly play the baritone sax for the UCLA LatinJazz Ensemble. I enjoy the challenges of applying my jazz experience to the different styles and grooves of Latin music and learning all about Clave with this fun group.”
Trombones
Tundae Mena: “I am from Los Angeles. I'm a transfer student from University of Nevada Las Vegas. I love UCLA. Its incredibly fun and the faculty is amazing.”
Jonah Levine: “I am a freshman jazz studies major in the Herb Alpert school of music at UCLA. I love playing all styles of music, but latin jazz is one of my favorites and I am very happy to be a member of this ensemble.”
Paul Stocker: “I am a electrical engineer, originally from Southampton England. Playing with the UCLA Latin Jazz Ensemble is a great opportunity to play with talented musicians while learning from a Latin Jazz master in a fun and professional environment.”
Trumpets
Zach Meyerowitz: “I am a senior Jazz Studies major at UCLA. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and attended Hamilton High School Music Academy. I enjoy playing a range of styles on the trumpet and hope to eventually pursue a career in the entertainment industry. I have performed and studied the trumpet for over 11 years and playing with the UCLA Latin Jazz Big Band has been an integral part of my complete musical experience. I enjoy the enthusiastic approach and exposure to Latin rhythms and concepts.”
Sean Matusich: “I am a first year jazz trumpet player from San Jose. I enjoy playing in the latin ensemble because it gives me a chance to learn culture through music and have fun while doing it.“
Justin Vuong: “I am a freshman at UCLA and love the Latin Jazz experience. After finishing my education, I plan to teach music. Watching Bobby Rodriguez direct rehearsals and interact with students has taught me much about how to teach music.“
Bev Moh: “I am a freshman jazz studies major. I play trumpet and piano, and plan to use my love for Latin Jazz through mission work in Hispanic countries.”
Rhythm Section
Piano
Keifer Shackelford. “I was born and raised in San Diego, California, a town where latin music is not hard to find. My mother started me on piano at the age of four, and because of my dad, my interest in jazz and blues was translated onto the piano at the age of thirteen. As a musician I hope to entertain the hearts of many people and educate the next generation about this music.”
Bass
Seung Hyun Lee: “From UCLA LatinJazz big band, I learn many things. That is not only Latin music itself, but also deeply consideration about music, and relationship between musicians, under Dr. Bobby Rodriguez's leadership. I enjoy the music more through this energetic band.”
Latin Percussion
Philippe Maniez: “I am an exchange student from Lumière university in Lyon, France. As an English Civilisation undergraduate with a degree in jazz drumming, I seek to enrich my cultural and musical insight and I am proud to count the Latin Jazz Band as part of that experience.”
Florian Wriedt: “I am an exchange student from Germany who plays jazz drums and percussion. For me playing in the LatinJazz Orchestra is an extremely rewarding experience since Bobby Rodriguez lives through that music and therefore offers an authentic approach to learn what LatinJazz really is about.”
Remi Spiro: “I have been a member of the UCLA Latin Jazz Orchestra for almost three years now and it has truly been exciting to be a part of the growth and progress of the band--one which helps to carry on a music and tradition that is often overlooked in America's music culture. Each member of the band brings a certain enthusiasm and energy to the band which makes for great music and great fun. It's all about the groove!”
Kenn Phillips: “As a percussionist with a background in mainly small latin combo - conjunto style - playing, the UCLA LatinJazz Big Band has offered me an outstanding opportunity to experience performing in a big band setting. It has made me a much more rounded and knowledgeable musician in many ways.”
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