Students perform under the direction of Dr. Nick Weiser.
Fredonia Jazz Flextet and Fredonia Jazz Orchestra recognized in national competition
The State University of New York at Fredonia has earned three honors in DownBeat Magazine’s annual Student Music Awards, adding another major achievement to the university’s growing national reputation in jazz education.
The Fredonia Jazz Flextet received Outstanding Performance honors in the Blues/Pop/Rock Group category for Undergraduate College ensembles. The Fredonia Jazz Orchestra also received Outstanding Performance honors in the same category. The Jazz Orchestra also won the College/Undergraduate Latin Group category.
“This is a tremendous moment for our students and for the jazz area at Fredonia,” said Dr. Nick Weiser, an associate professor and coordinator of Jazz Studies. “To have two ensembles recognized in the Blues/Pop/Rock category and to have the Jazz Orchestra win the Latin Group category speaks to the depth, versatility, and commitment of our students. They are performing at a level that stands with some of the strongest collegiate programs in the country.”
“These students are not only winning awards. They are developing the skills, discipline, and artistic voice that will serve them as performers, teachers, collaborators and leaders.” - Dr. Nick Weiser
The latest recognition continues a remarkable run for Fredonia jazz ensembles. In recent years, Fredonia student groups have received repeated honors from DownBeat, including the Jazz Flextet’s win in the Undergraduate Pop/Rock/Blues Group category in 2024 and its second consecutive outright award in that category in 2025. Fredonia’s first DownBeat honor came in 2019, when the New Jazz Ensemble received Outstanding Performance recognition in the Undergraduate Large Jazz Ensemble category. The program had earned six DownBeat awards in seven years before this year’s three additional honors.
DownBeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards are among the most respected honors in jazz education. The competition draws submissions from college and university programs across the country and recognizes outstanding student musicians, ensembles, and recordings.
“What makes this especially meaningful is that these are different ensembles, different categories, and different musical demands,” Dr. Weiser said. “Our students are not just succeeding in one narrow lane. They are showing that they can adapt, listen, collaborate, and bring real musical integrity to a wide range of styles.”
For the students, the awards are both a national honor and a reflection of the work that shaped their Fredonia experience.
“It’s always fulfilling to go out onstage and play a great concert with the Flextet, but to be recognized by DownBeat Magazine for our performance is personally validating,” said Sam Wozniak, a graduating senior Mus.B. Music Performance major. “I’m proud to have been a member of the Flextet every year of my undergrad, with recognition from DownBeat Magazine for each of the last four years.”
Senior Maze Piper Drum (B.A. in Music and Mus.B. in Music Composition), who performed as pianist for both the Jazz Flextet and Jazz Orchestra, said being part of all three award-winning recordings made the recognition especially meaningful.
“The jazz ensembles have been such a core part of my experience at Fredonia and development as a musician,” Drum said. “To have that recognized on such a large scale is incredibly fulfilling. As a graduating senior, getting this news in my last week at Fredonia is such a perfect ending to my time here.”
Angelo Delaney, a junior Music major with concentration in Jazz Studies, said the award reflects years of commitment from students and faculty.
“This award is a true testament to the hard work I have put in over the last three years,” Delaney said. “I am incredibly grateful.”
All three students credited Fredonia’s jazz faculty with helping them grow as musicians. Wozniak said the faculty “gave me the tools to dive deeper into this art form,” while Drum called Weiser “the best ensemble director I have ever worked with.” Delaney also credited Adjunct Lecturer Elliot Scozzaro and Dr. Leon Lee Dorsey for helping shape his development as a musician.
“The continued success of jazz at Fredonia is no accident,” Wozniak said. “From the faculty to the students, this program oozes excellence.”
Interim Dean of the College of Music, Theatre, and Dance Sarah Hamilton agreed that the awards reflect the talent of Fredonia students and the quality of instruction they receive from faculty.
“These honors are a powerful affirmation of the work happening every day in Mason Hall,” Dr. Hamilton said. “Our students are serious, creative, and deeply committed to their craft, and they are supported by faculty who challenge them to reach their highest level. Recognition from DownBeat places Fredonia’s jazz students on a national stage, and we are incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”
“These students are not only winning awards,” Weiser added. “They are developing the skills, discipline, and artistic voice that will serve them as performers, teachers, collaborators and leaders.”
