Golden Valley High band members Dustin Mincey and Matthew Vasquez were recently selected to be part of the SFJAZZ High School All-Star group. The two GV students were two of approximately 25 members chosen out of hundreds that auditioned. As part of the all-star group, Mincey and Vasquez will have the opportunity to learn from professional musicians performing at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco all year long.

 

“They will rehearse with the other band members, as well as receive clinics and instruction from some of the best jazz musicians in the world,” said Golden Valley band director Michael Vasquez, who is also Matthew’s father. Mincey and Vasquez will carpool to San Francisco every Tuesday night for training sessions at the SFJAZZ Center from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

 

Matthew Vasquez was nervous after his audition. “I wanted it really bad, actually, and I was really stressed,” said Matthew Vasquez.  “It didn’t help that I drank an energy drink on the way because I was shaking so bad during the audition. On the way there I was listening to my material because they had us play two songs. When I found out I made it, I was like, ‘Let’s go!’”

 

Both Vasquez and Mincey are passionate about music with Vasquez playing the trombone and Mincey playing the trumpet. Being part of this all-star group gives them the opportunity to be around other kids who share their passion and who are motivated to continue playing music after high school. This isn’t the first prestigious group these GV students have been a part of in recent years. According to Michael Vazuez, both of the Golden Valley Cardinal Regime members have been accepted into the Northern California Honor Jazz Band, California All-State Jazz bands, the Jazz Band of America in Indianapolis, Indiana and the Juilliard Summer Jazz Academy in New York.  

 

Mincey has come a long way from a fourth grader who started playing trumpet because band members got out of PE class. Mincey started playing music when his parents bought him a guitar when he was in third grade. “My older brother was playing Guitar Hero,” That’s when he decided he wanted a guitar. So my brother got a guitar and I ended up playing bass (guitar) for a while. That's how I first started playing music.”

 

Like Vasquez, Mincey was excited when he got the news he was chosen for the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars. “I didn't really expect it,” Mincey said. “They were asking a lot of questions to us, like, how are we going to get there because it’s two hours away? I thought that'd be a hindrance so I was pretty shocked to be honest when I found out I was chosen.”

 

Michael Vasquez drives both students to San Francisco every Tuesday night. They’ve already taken part in three meetings. They’ve had a chance to work with SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard, who has been nominated for two Oscars for original movie scores or Spike Lee movies. “These sessions are really like a Master class,” Mincey said.

 

Matthew Vasquez, who was an alternate with the group last year, says this all-star group is an amazing opportunity to learn from professionals. “The pace of these classes are  just so much different,” Vasquez said. “It's just like thing after thing after thing. It’s great because of the opportunities it gives you. We get to go do these great things with so many great people, and we’re meeting all these people who have the same interest as us.” 

 

“It’s great to represent our school and the Central Valley,” Mincey added.

 

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.