The New Jersey Jazz Education Achievement Award
On an annual basis, the NJAJE Board of Directors is proud to nominate a New Jersey jazz educator who has demonstrated the highest standards of teaching excellence and dedication to the jazz education community. The award is presented annually in November at the State Jazz Conference and again at the final concert of the NJ All State Jazz Ensemble and NJ All State Jazz Choir at NJPAC. A commemorative plaque is presented to each recipient.
2019 Awardee: Mr. Michael D. Russo
Michael D. Russo has recently retired after 34 years in public school music education. At Morristown High School he directed the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble and Pit Orchestra. He also led Instrumental Music Lessons and taught Music Technology, Music History, Piano and Guitar classes. Mr. Russo previously taught at Parsippany High School, the Pearl R. Miller Middle School in Kinnelon and in the Saddle Brook Schools.
He is a graduate of William Paterson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership. Mr. Russo has completed additional graduate study at the Julius Hartt School of Music, Central Connecticut State University and Villanova University.
Under Mr. Russo’s direction the Morristown High School Wind Ensemble received several Superior and Gold ratings and proudly represented Region 1 at the New Jersey Music Educators Association State Gala Concert, the Mid-Atlantic Honors Wind Band Festival and the New Jersey Music Educators Association State Conference. The “Spectrum” Jazz Ensemble was an 11 time New Jersey Association for Jazz Education State Finalist and band students were regularly selected for participation in North Jersey Area, Region, All-State and All-Eastern Ensembles. At Parsippany High School the Jazz Ensemble was selected as the first group from the State of New Jersey as a Finalist in the Essentially Ellington Competition in 1996.
Mr. Russo’s guest conducting appearances included the Future Musicians All-State Concert Band - 2001, the North Jersey Area Symphonic Band - 2005, the North Jersey Area Percussion Ensemble - 2017, the Region 1 High School Symphonic Band - 2008, the Region 1 Junior High School Symphonic Winds - 2019, the Region 1 High School Jazz Ensemble - 1998 and 2018, the Region 1 Junior High School Jazz Ensemble - 2008 and the Region 2 High School Jazz Ensemble - 2010.
Mr. Russo has been the Audition Chairperson for the All-State Bands and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education. He is a member of the International Trumpet Guild and has been awarded the Sudler Silver Scroll by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.
As a performer, Mr. Russo is member of the Trumpet Section of the New Jersey Wind Symphony and is a founding member of the Imperial Brass Quintet. He has performed throughout the United States as well as in China, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic.
He is a graduate of William Paterson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership. Mr. Russo has completed additional graduate study at the Julius Hartt School of Music, Central Connecticut State University and Villanova University.
Under Mr. Russo’s direction the Morristown High School Wind Ensemble received several Superior and Gold ratings and proudly represented Region 1 at the New Jersey Music Educators Association State Gala Concert, the Mid-Atlantic Honors Wind Band Festival and the New Jersey Music Educators Association State Conference. The “Spectrum” Jazz Ensemble was an 11 time New Jersey Association for Jazz Education State Finalist and band students were regularly selected for participation in North Jersey Area, Region, All-State and All-Eastern Ensembles. At Parsippany High School the Jazz Ensemble was selected as the first group from the State of New Jersey as a Finalist in the Essentially Ellington Competition in 1996.
Mr. Russo’s guest conducting appearances included the Future Musicians All-State Concert Band - 2001, the North Jersey Area Symphonic Band - 2005, the North Jersey Area Percussion Ensemble - 2017, the Region 1 High School Symphonic Band - 2008, the Region 1 Junior High School Symphonic Winds - 2019, the Region 1 High School Jazz Ensemble - 1998 and 2018, the Region 1 Junior High School Jazz Ensemble - 2008 and the Region 2 High School Jazz Ensemble - 2010.
Mr. Russo has been the Audition Chairperson for the All-State Bands and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education. He is a member of the International Trumpet Guild and has been awarded the Sudler Silver Scroll by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.
As a performer, Mr. Russo is member of the Trumpet Section of the New Jersey Wind Symphony and is a founding member of the Imperial Brass Quintet. He has performed throughout the United States as well as in China, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic.
Past Awardees
Don Braden
Anthony Branker
Clem De Rosa
David Demsey
Andrew DeNicola
Denis Di Blasio
Dr. Diana Dohrmann
Richard Graham
Dr. Jeffrey Kunkel
Jeffrey Haas
Brian Height
Jeffrey Lesser
David Thomas May
Joel Perry
Rufus Reid
Julius Tolentino
Ray Wiggins
Wilbur Witteman
Anthony Branker
Clem De Rosa
David Demsey
Andrew DeNicola
Denis Di Blasio
Dr. Diana Dohrmann
Richard Graham
Dr. Jeffrey Kunkel
Jeffrey Haas
Brian Height
Jeffrey Lesser
David Thomas May
Joel Perry
Rufus Reid
Julius Tolentino
Ray Wiggins
Wilbur Witteman