17-year old pianist takes top prize at Ventura Music Festival´s student jazz competition

(VENTURA, Calif.) – Oxnard resident Rachel Flowers, 17, earned top honors at the Ventura Music Festival´s (VMF) Annual Student Jazz Competition on Jan. 16 at Ventura´s Laurel Theatre.

Flowers was awarded both the opportunity to play on stage with legendary Cuban jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and his 18-piece band at the Ventura Music Festival´s upcoming Latin Jazz concert on Feb. 12 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds as well as a $500 scholarship.

Five talented teen musicians, ranging in age from 15-18, were selected from 18 applicants to perform in the annual concert competition. They were accompanied by Coda, a Ventura-based jazz trio.

Flowers wowed the crowd with her passionate rendition of John Coltrane´s "Naima" on the piano. Blind since birth, she began playing the piano at the age of 2 and learns by listening. A highly gifted music prodigy and Hueneme High School junior, Flowers placed second in the 2010 VMF student competition.

Second-place finisher Jacob Scesney, 18, played Sonny Stitt´s "The Eternal Triangle" on the alto sax. Third place was awarded to 17-year old Tanner Dawson with his rendition of "Recorda Me" by Joe Henderson on tenor sax. Rounding out the competition were Sara Sithi-Amnuai, 15, on flugelhorn.and Cory Smith, 16, on drums.

The public will have another chance to see four of these five talented teens perform on Feb. 7 at a dinner fundraising concert to support future VMF educational outreach programs. The event will take place at the Sidecar Restaurant in Ventura, which will donate a portion of the evening´s proceeds to the festival. For reservations, call (805) 643-7433.

To purchase tickets to the Arturo Sandoval concert or for more information about the Ventura Music Festival´s complete 2011 concert series, go to www.venturamusicfestival.org or call (805) 648-3146.

About the Ventura Music Festival

Founded in 1994, the Ventura Music Festival presents world-renowned classical, jazz, and crossover musicians in historic and intimate venues throughout Ventura and surrounding areas. Today, the festival stands as one of Ventura County´s signature events, attracting upwards of 10,000 concert-goers. The Festival takes place over ten days in April and May, and presents individual concerts throughout the rest of the season.

For the 17th season, April 28 through May 7, 2011, the Ventura Music Festival welcomes jazz trumpeter, Chris Botti, Italian classical pianist, Roberto Prosseda, Grammy award-winning violinists, the Mark O´Connor String Quartet and Martina Filjak, winner of the 2009 Cleveland Piano Competition.

Each year, the Ventura Music Festival´s Education Outreach Program presents live performances and interactive lessons to nearly 4,000 local students through its "Music in the Schools" program.

The Ventura Music Festival is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Information: (805) 648-3146 or www.venturamusicfestival.org.

Tina Vervoorn

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