NSU Student Named Outstanding Collegiate Jazz Musician

TAHLEQUAH Northeastern State University student Aaron Hollon (Verdigris, OK) was voted as the 2003 co-winner of the Outstanding Collegiate Jazz Musician award by the Oklahoma unit of the International Association for Jazz Education. Hollon is a graduate of Verdigris High School and is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education at NSU. He is also a member of the NSU Jazz Band I and Jazz Octet.

"I am honored to be recognized by IAJE for doing what I love to do," said Aaron Hollon. "I consider it a privilege to play at Northeastern."

Hollon, a member of the Oklahoma All State Jazz Band each of the three years that he was in high school, is the third NSU student to receive this honor in the last six years. Drummer Craig Stevens received this award in 1999, and saxophonist Jonathan Christie was the recipient in 2001. Tracy Patterson, a transfer student from Northern Oklahoma College who began his studies at NSU this semester, was the 2002 IAJE Outstanding Collegiate Jazz Musician.

"I am very proud of all of the students in our program, but it gives me even greater pleasure when so many of these students are recognized by the jazz educators in the state," said Will Campbell, NSU Director of Jazz Studies. "Aaron is not only an exceptional trombonist but a very gifted musician in general. I was elated when he chose NSU for his college education."

The NSU Jazz Band I was invited to perform as an Honor Ensemble at the 1999 Oklahoma Music Educator Association's convention in Tulsa. This ensemble was also awarded unanimous Superior ratings and numerous Outstanding Musicianship awards at the 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003 Wichita Jazz Festivals in Wichita, Kansas. In the past seven years, Jazz Band I has performed with internationally renowned jazz artists such as Joe Lovano, Judi Silvano, Jimmy Cobb, Bob Mintzer, Jim Snidero, Slide Hampton, Marvin Stamm, Chris Vadala, Dave Pietro, Byron Stripling, Scott Wendholt, Dennis Mackrel, Bobby Shew, John Dankworth, Jim Riggs and Leon Breeden.

For additional information, contact Aaron Hollon at 918-798-2875 or Will Campbell at 918-465-5511, ext. 4602.