Youths receive scholarships for musical talent

The Creative Jazz Organization (CJO) presented three young musicians scholarship awards in the name of local jazz legends at the Proper Caf in Cambria Heights on Wednesday, July 18.
&#8220Here we've found deserving youth who represent what our organization stands for, keeping jazz alive,” said Reuben Bankhead, President of CJO, that night.
After submitting an essay and performing an audition, three winners were chosen by the members of CJO.
First place winner of the Gwen Cleveland, four-year $1,000 scholarship award was Randolph Smith. A student who graduated from LaGuardia High School last spring and will attend Indiana University this fall, Smith has been playing the trumpet since the fourth grade.
&#8220My mother just wanted to keep me busy,” Smith said jokingly about how he came to play, &#8220but I also liked it because it was a bold instrument; loud enough so that I could express myself.”
His mother, Sandra Smith said that he wasn't always a natural, but over time and with practice he has worked to develop the talent he has today.
&#8220The first time he played the trumpet for a school performance, his sister said this but I agree: ‘He sounded like a traffic jam,'” she said.
A traffic jam no longer, Smith has turned his noise into sweet music, as he plays the songs of jazz greats like Louis Armstrong and Lee Morgan.
In addition to the first place scholarship were two $500 stipend awards in the names of local Jazz musicians Hank Turner and Walter Perkins. Both winners, Kashif Coppin and Calvin Bowen, are graduates of Townsend Harris High School.
The winner of the Walter Perkins award, Bowen, will be attending City College this fall. Like many vocalists, his passion for music began in the church. &#8220I love playing jazz, but my roots will always be gospel music,” he said.
On the other hand, Coppin, an alto saxophonist and recipient of the Hank Turner award, said he enjoys the fast tempo of be-bop, the smoothness of jazz, and the sound of funk. This fall Coppin will be a freshman at Hofstra University.
All three gentlemen said that they were honored and grateful to CJO for awarding them these scholarships, and said that they would use the money to further their musical studies in college.