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Christian Choh, a 17-year old senior from Agoura High School was the winner of the 3rd annual Student Jazz Competition. He was chosen in a live performance on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at the Laurel Theatre. In addition to receiving a $500 scholarship, he will play with legendary Latin Jazz percussionist Pete Escovedo at the Festival’s Latin Jazz concert on February 13, 2010.

Ventura Music Festival Selects Student Jazz Competition Winner at Live Concert

Christian Choh, a 17-year old senior from Agoura High School was chosen as the winner of the 3rd annual student jazz competition. For the first time, the Festival hosted a live competition concert, held on January 10th at the Laurel Theatre. The top 5 entries played one song, backed up by the Ventura based band, Coda. Judges were jazz and classical pianist Jonathan Cooper, film score producer Eddie Arkin, and noted Afro-Cuban percussionist Robert Fernandez.

The other finalists included:

2nd place: pianist Rachel Flowers, age 16 from Oxnard

3rd place: alto saxophonist Daniel Henry from Goleta

4th place: pianist Cindy Sithi-Amnuai, age 17 from Laguna Niguel

5th place: percussionist Cory Smith, age 15 from Westlake Village

As the winner, Choh received a $500 scholarship check and will be featured during one song with Pete Escovedo at the Festival’s Latin Jazz Concert on Saturday, February 13. Asked about the artists who influenced his saxophone playing, Choh cited John Coltrane, Kenny Garrett, and his brother. Choh has competed in numerous competitions as a member of the Agoura High School Jazz Band and plans to go to New York next year to study music.

Bonnie and Don Carlton served as the event sponsors. Scholarship sponsors for the event included Sandra & Jordan Laby, Charles Levin and the Ventura Police Activities League.

Photo credit: Jim Needham

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