Many of our students shine not only academically, but artistically as well. ASU Digital Prep high school senior and lead trumpeter, Matthew Leal, has earned shout worthy bragging rights. Matt is part of the nationally recognized, award-winning Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band. The Nogales resident studies at the Tucson Jazz Institute, making the 120-miles roundtrip two times a week.
This outstanding jazz trumpeter is clearly dedicated to his jazz music studies. In fact, while at jazz camp in NYC this summer, one of the instructors, Marcus Printup, renowned trumpeter with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, said that Matt was the only one there who could play in the style required for 30s, 40s jazz/big band music.
A professional film crew produced a 39-minute clip of their May 2022 concert. There are seven songs performed, and Matt solos in all but two. Oh, and he sings in song number 6: “Good Morning Blues.”
Congratulations Matthew Leal on this amazing accomplishment!
TJI Ellington Big Band Spring Concert May 2022
