Nationally Recognized DA Jazz Combo to Perform at 2026 Jacksonville Jazz Festival

The Developing Artists (DA) Foundation and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts announce that the DA Jazz Combo has been recognized in DownBeat Magazine’s 49th Annual Student Music Awards as the “2026 Small Jazz Combo – Performing Arts School” national winners.

This marks the first time the DA Jazz Combo has received this prestigious national recognition. Tenor saxophonist Spencer Carnochan was additionally recognized as an “Outstanding Soloist.”

The DA Jazz Program is celebrating continued success as being consistently recognized by DownBeat Magazine over the last 20 years. The Jazz Ensemble 1 has been recognized as “Large Jazz Ensemble – Performing Arts School”  national winners & outstanding performances multiple times (as recently as 2025), as well as individual students earning “Outstanding Soloist” awards.

Members of the Jazz Combo are:

• Spencer Carnochan (tenor saxophone)

• Erik Links (trumpet)

• Ean Bricknell (trombone)

• Isaiah Newland (drums)

• Graham Guiler (bass)

• Rory Ames (piano)

Established in 1976, the DownBeat Student Music Awards are among the most prestigious awards in jazz education. Judged by professional musicians and educators in a blind adjudication process, the awards evaluate musicianship, creativity, improvisation and technique across high school, college, and graduate divisions. The Jacksonville community will have a chance to see the DA Jazz Combo perform live — for free — at the 2026 Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The group is featured on the Jazz in the Plaza stage at Riverfront Plaza, a brand-new stage experience highlighting local and regional jazz and R&B talent.

WHERE:
Riverfront Plaza2 W. Independent DriveJacksonville, FL 32202                                                                                    

WHEN:
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Douglas Anderson Jazz Combo performs at 4:15 p.m.
Gates open at 3:00 p.m.