Fifth Grade Jazz Ensemble Grooves to the Beat

Westwood Patch Whiz Kids of the Week: Downey Elementary School Fifth Grade Jazz Ensemble

Whiz Kid's Names:Nataniah Cagan, Nicky Simon, Allison Li, Rena Shi, Brad Orsini, Jason Moy, Jack Higgins, Tommy Bruzzese and Keith Paik.

Whiz Kid's School/Church/Community Center:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: The students have played at the Downey Fifth Grade Winter Concert and were also featured at a January Community Share at the Downey School.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Since forming in September 2010, the jazz ensemble has performed a variety of challenging music by such famous jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The group meets every Wednesday morning before school to practice with Michael Reavey, the Westwood Public School's fourth and fifth grade bands instructor. Moreover, for the past several months, the group has been meeting a each others houses to practice further. Additionally, the mutual respect that each student performer has for one another is also worthy of note.