Dr. Nick Weiser (center) and 15 students who comprise the Fredonia Jazz Flextet, which won a top DownBeat Magazine’s Student Music Award gather for a group photo following the award announcement made in the Juliet J. Rosch Recital Hall.
What does an ensemble do for an encore in DownBeat competition? Retain their top ranking and score an individual award.
Not an easy feat, but that’s exactly what the Fredonia Jazz Flextet accomplished in DownBeat Magazine’s 2025 Student Music Awards competition. The School of Music ensemble won its second consecutive outright Student Music Award in the Undergraduate Pop/Rock/Blues Group category.
The bonus: Matt Incontro, who graduated with a Mus.B. in Music Education in December 2024, won the Pop/Rock/Blues Soloist Award. He’s the first School of Music student to receive a DownBeat Soloist Award.
Last year, the student group had a few more seasoned members who had been in the group for at least a couple years; this year we were able to win the award with a mix of seasoned veterans and great soloists, but also a few students new to the ensemble.” - Dr. Nick Weiser
“This group is leaving an indisputable reputation in the jazz world by way of the sustained success we are seeing,” commented Associate Professor Nick Weiser, who directs the 15-member Flextet. DownBeat awards are often dominated by some of the largest and most prestigious music programs in the country, he noted.
Dr. Weiser describes Mr. Incontro, of Buffalo, NY, as “one of the strongest improvisers” he’s seen in the program.
“Matt just has a deep understanding of the idiom and a clear sense of improvisational style across multiple genres. He can play as convincing a swing solo as he can a rock/funk/fusion solo,” Weiser remarked.
The impression that Incontro made upon Associate Professor Kieran Hanlon was as the kind of musician who understands the history of jazz but is also creating the future with his sound.
“He’s aware of the traditions of jazz, which has been evolving its entire life – like all forms of music – but I feel he is really pushing things forward with his work and playing, but he’s still very equally rooted in the jazz tradition. That’s a wonderful place to be as a young player,” Mr. Hanlon said.
For Incontro, who completed student teaching last fall, it’s an honor to be listed among the top young musicians in the country. It’s an honor he wasn’t expecting.
Incontro commends the organizational work and directing that Weiser does with jazz groups and programs in general within the School of Music. “Part of the success in terms of DownBeat recognition is the progressive programming that he does for the Flextet. He keeps the jazz program very current,” Incontro noted.
Incontro is currently working as a substitute teacher and freelance gigging in the Buffalo area while pursuing a full-time teaching position. Among his side gigs is the pit orchestra in “The Pajama Game,” a musical comedy, at the State University at Buffalo.
What distinguishes this year’s Flextet from last year’s similarly acclaimed ensemble?
“We played an incredibly diverse repertoire this concert cycle, so I’d say this group’s ability to capture the spirit of many different genres and styles of music is something that sets them apart,” according to Weiser.
Diversity is reflected in the three selections entered in the competition: “Walkdown,” from the funk genre; “One for All,” in the rock tradition; and “Going Somewhere,” which has a more contemporary jazz fusion feel.
“For this particular award, being able to showcase that type of versatility distinguishes this group from others,” Weiser noted.
Consistent overall success – an impressive six DownBeat awards in seven years – can be attributed to the hard work of the musicians as well as the camaraderie within the Jazz Studies concentration at large, Weiser explained.
“It’s easy to write off the first one or two (DownBeat awards) as a fluke; now we’ve built something with legs.”
The inaugural DownBeat achievement by a jazz group – Outstanding Performance in the Undergraduate Division – was awarded to the New Jazz Ensemble in the Large Jazz Ensemble group in 2019. The Jazz Flextet repeated that success multiple times, achieving Outstanding Performance honors, Undergraduate Division, Large Jazz Ensemble group, in 2022, and in 2023, in the Pop/Rock/Blues group, and winning the category outright in 2024.
Excelling in two group categories is indicative of the training and preparation that Weiser puts into the program and preparation of the ensemble, Mr. Hanlon observed. “Winning in different categories shows they’re really ready to go out into the world and be major contributors to various types of musical engagements,” he said.
Sam Wozniak, who has dual majors in Music and Music Composition, feels very fortunate and proud to be a part of a high-quality ensemble that’s creating and performing music recognized by DownBeat Magazine.
“It’s an enriching experience to come into rehearsal with my friends and peers to play great music,” said Mr. Wozniak, of Cornwall, NY. The recognition is both gratifying and motivating, Wozniak added. “I’ve been in the ensemble for three years and we’ve been recognized by DownBeat Magazine each time; it’s motivating to have a product I’ve contributed to be awarded and adds fuel to the fire to grow as a musician,” he said.
“Our goal has always been to learn, grow and create better and better music. I’ve seen firsthand the quality and maturity of the group rise over my three years here and the recognition is validating of our dedication and contributions to that goal.”
Wozniak attributes the Flextet’s continuing high performance level to faculty who are world class and are always providing students with invaluable instruction and insight, to one-on-one lessons and ensemble rehearsals.
“I’ll be a senior next fall, so I’m lucky and excited to spend another year with the faculty and students here at Fredonia, learning and refining my skills as a musician,” Wozniak said.
“These recognitions from DownBeat Magazine make yet another impressive contribution to Fredonia's storied jazz history,” commented School of Music Dean David Stringham. “For nearly 100 years, jazz has been part of Fredonia's music landscape, with today's students and faculty building on the legacy of decades of student and faculty leaders,” Dr. Stringham added.
Winning in different categories shows they’re really ready to go out into the world and be major contributors to various types of musical engagements.” – Associate Professor Kieran Hanlon
“The Flextet is obviously incredibly strong, with a diversity of playing styles and is always impressive on programs. The students play at an extremely high level,” affirmed Assistant Professor James Harrington.
Weiser never approaches DownBeat competition overly confident, pointing to what can be a significant turnover in students from one year to the next.
“Last year, the student group had a few more seasoned members who had been in the group for at least a couple years; this year we were able to win the award with a mix of seasoned veterans, but also a few students new to the ensemble,” Weiser explained.
Members of the Fredonia Jazz Flextet include Mr. Incontro (alto saxophone), Evan Bonanno (alto saxophone), Joshua Ribakove (tenor saxophone), Angelo Delaney (tenor saxophone), Dan Raczka (baritone saxophone), TyeRyan Burke (trumpet), Roy Dillon (trumpet), John Szymusiak (trumpet), Mr. Wozniak (trombone), Madeleine Myers (trombone), Lucas West (piano), Logan Loveless (guitar), Jared Reinard (Bass), Joey Porth (drums) and Nigel Usiak (drums).
“We join in celebrating with Matt, the Flextet, and our faculty and staff who support their success,” Stringham said.
