The Cuesta College jazz combo, “Sperdak,” was recently named the best community college small jazz combo in the nation by DownBeat, which covers the jazz and blues world. The honor was part of the magazine’s “38th Annual Student Music Awards.” “I’m really happy for my students, this is a wonderful affirmation for them,” said Ron McCarly, director of jazz studies at Cuesta. “Our jazz program has been strong for many years, but receiving this honor validates our groups and my students, especially when being compared to large colleges from around the country. I like seeing the students realize how great they are.”
Members of Sperdak are brothers Josh and Sean Collins, and Keegan Harshman. The trio, who also study under the Central Coast Jazz Institute, submitted multiple recordings to DownBeat, including two original tunes.
“I’ve been playing jazz since the fifth grade,” said Harshman, the band’s bass player, “and growing up I was always aware of DownBeat Magazine and how big it is. You see the new and upcoming famous musicians on the cover all the time, and for me it’s just so cool being able to see Cuesta College’s name get recognized and being able to represent the school.” The Cuesta Jazz Studies Department fields various small jazz combo groups each semester, plus the Cuesta Jazz Ensemble and the Evening Jazz Ensemble.