Blue Ensemble Album Release Celebration Concert at California Jazz Conservatory

Introducing the esteemed California Jazz Conservatory Blue Ensemble, directed by renowned jazz drummer and educator Gerald Cleaver. Comprised of top CJC degree program student musicians, including Adam Torres on alto saxophone and flute, Mario Ramirez on tenor saxophone, Joshua Aldana on guitar, Jonny Kaminek on bass, and Sheldon Alexander on drums, the ensemble recently clinched victory at the California Jazz Championships, solidifying their position as one of the top college ensembles in the state of California and in the country.

Their forthcoming digital album release, Vexed, features compelling original compositions by four of the group’s members. Recorded, mixed, and mastered in Valencia, Spain, the digital album is scheduled for release on June 28 via California Jazz Conservatory Records and will be available at more than 30 music streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and YouTube . This album showcases the ensemble’s advanced approach to jazz and promises to captivate audiences with the ensemble’s creative and dynamic performances....

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Introducing the esteemed California Jazz Conservatory Blue Ensemble, directed by renowned jazz drummer and educator Gerald Cleaver. Comprised of top CJC degree program student musicians, including Adam Torres on alto saxophone and flute, Mario Ramirez on tenor saxophone, Joshua Aldana on guitar, Jonny Kaminek on bass, and Sheldon Alexander on drums, the ensemble recently clinched victory at the California Jazz Championships, solidifying their position as one of the top college ensembles in the state of California and in the country.

Their forthcoming digital album release, Vexed, features compelling original compositions by four of the group’s members. Recorded, mixed, and mastered in Valencia, Spain, the digital album is scheduled for release on June 28 via California Jazz Conservatory Records and will be available at more than 30 music streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and YouTube . This album showcases the ensemble’s advanced approach to jazz and promises to captivate audiences with the ensemble’s creative and dynamic performances.

To commemorate this significant achievement, please join us on June 28 for an album release celebration concert in Rendon Hall at the California Jazz Conservatory. This special event will be an opportunity to experience the Blue Ensemble’s remarkable music live and celebrate their accomplishments in person. Don’t miss this chance to witness the culmination of their hard work and dedication to the art of jazz!

Band Members and Instrumentation:

Gerald Cleaver – Director
Adam Torres – Alto saxophone/flute
Mario Ramirez – Tenor saxophone
Joshua Aldana – Guitar
Jonny Kaminek – Bass
Sheldon Alexander – Drums



Proof of vaccination is no longer required for Covid-19. Masking is optional and masks are available upon request. The California Jazz Conservatory kindly requests that anyone feeling unwell refrain from attending in-person events of any kind.

This concert is sponsored by JAMBAR

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