MJF Regional All-Star Band

Sponsored by Bank of America Monterey Bay
Folktale Winery & Vineyards is an Official Partner MJF’s Regional All-Star Program

As part of our ongoing support for music education in schools, Monterey Jazz is excited to announce our remarkable 2025 Regional All-Star Band. In the 2025 school year, students will have the benefit of working with some of the county’s best jazz educators. In addition, All-Star Band students who satisfy a set of requirements established by MJF Education department will receive a Certificate of Excellence in Professional Musicianship.

Each all-star ensemble, featuring talented students from across Monterey County, rehearses twice monthly while working on ensemble skills including phrasing, blending, improvisation, and rhythmic feel. The bands perform across Monterey County and far beyond, testing their chops on the bandstand while bringing great jazz music to the community. The venues that have featured the Regional All-Star ensembles in the past include the Kennedy Center, the National Archives, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle, San Jose Jazz Fest, Jazz on Plazz in Los Gatos, Forest Theater in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Monterey Jazz Festival.

MJF Regional All-Star Band 2025
Directed by Stu Reynolds

Woodwinds

Joanna Lee, flute
Andrew Murray, 1st alto saxophone
Jacob Custodio, 2nd alto saxophone
Conor O’Brien, 1st tenor saxophone
Trent Gaston, 2nd tenor saxophone
Emiliano Ramirez, baritone saxophone

Trombones
Kai Bishop, 1st trombone
Isaac Lee, 2nd trombone
Mariella Norris, 3rd trombone
Olivia Gott, 4th trombone
Sam Klevan, bass trombone

Trumpets
Andrew Atanous, 1st trumpet
Cliff Bunden, 2nd trumpet
Bryan Kim, 3rd trumpet
Alex Stihler, 4th trumpet
Joshua Lopez, 4th trumpet

Rhythm Section
Kai Kraus, Roman Waters, piano
Daphne DeCarlo, bass
Zoya Bograd, bass
Ayden Kanter, William Drumright, guitar
Christopher Platt, Isaac Waters, drums