Jazz Student Selected As Recipient of the Louis Prima Award
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Foundation Presents Award In New York
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) is proud to share the news: NOCCA Jazz student Jeffery Miller (12th grade student also attending Benjamin Franklin High School) was recently presented with The ASCAP Foundation Louis Prima Award at its Annual Awards Ceremony at the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Jeffery was selected by Mrs. Gia Prima, Louis’ widow together with NOCCA Music Faculty and The ASCAP Foundation and staff. It is presented to a senior vocalist or musician attending NOCCA to assist with their college career.
“Jeffery is a student that excels at every aspect of being a growing artist,” stated NOCCA President|CEO Kyle Wedberg. “He is strong academically, has a great work ethic, pushes himself as an artist and is a joy to know and be around. Nothing would surprise us with Jeffery and he deserves whatever honors come to him.”
Jeffery Miller was raised in New Orleans by his grandparents, who saw to his good education and provided opportunities for him to flourish in the arts. He began studying jazz at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) where he has played in a variety of ensembles, combos and big band, even appearing for 3 years on the HBO series “Treme” playing trombone and tuba in various episodes. He has received full scholarships to participate in programs such as the Skidmore Jazz Institute 2012 and the Vail Jazz Workshop 2013. In late July of 2013, he went on a brief tour to New York with Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, with whom he also performs every Wednesday night at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro. Jeffery considers himself honored by the music itself for choosing him to play it. That being said, he has made it his life’s goal to attain the highest level of true musicality he can because he truly loves it.
About NOCCA
The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts is a regional, pre-professional arts training center that offers students intensive instruction in culinary arts, dance, media arts: filmmaking & audio production, music (classical, jazz, vocal), theatre arts (drama, musical theatre, theatre design), visual arts, and creative writing, while demanding simultaneous academic excellence. NOCCA was founded in 1973 by a diverse coalition of artists, educators, business leaders, and community activists who saw the need for an institution devoted to our region’s burgeoning young talent.