Edward W. Hardy & UNC Jazz Take Home 7 DownBeat Student Music Awards

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Annually, DownBeat Magazine acknowledges exceptional ensembles, performers, and composers in jazz through its Student Music Awards. In this year's edition, recent graduate Dr. Edward W. Hardy and the Jazz Studies Department at the University of Northern Colorado clinched seven prestigious honors in the magazine's 47th Annual student competition.

In a recent interview with Lehigh Valley News, the Director of Kutztown University, Dr. Kevin Kjos, said, “This is the equivalent of a Grammy award in the professional ranks and can indeed serve as a stepping stone into that world for students who win this prestigious award.”

As posted on BroadwayWorld, Dr. Edward W. Hardy says, “Winning the Graduate College Outstanding Performance Award in the Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist category for my rendition of “Tennessee Whiskey” and my signature piece “Evolution” is a tremendous honor and a beautiful addition to my streak of milestones this year. This is my first Jazz award and I'm incredibly proud to represent my violin teacher, Dr. Jubal Fulks, and the University of Northern Colorado's classical and jazz departments. Congratulations to the other students and faculty in the Jazz Studies department on representing UNC!”

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Watch Dr. Hardy’s rendition of “Tennessee Whiskey” and his signature piece “Evolution” below:

The DownBeat Student Music Awards (SMAs) are prestigious accolades given by DownBeat magazine, one of the leading publications in the jazz and contemporary music scene. Established in 1976, these awards recognize outstanding achievements by musicians, music educators, and music industry professionals in various categories such as performance, composition, arranging, and recording. They are highly regarded in the music education community and can significantly bolster the recipients' reputations and careers.