Three UNT music students, alum earn DownBeat Magazine awards

DownBeat Magazine, dubbed the monthly "bible" of jazz, has selected three College of Music students and an alumnus, for its 30th Annual Student Music Awards.

The prestigious jazz awards were announced in the June issue of DownBeat, which hit newsstands May 22.

Saxophonist Brian Donohoe, a graduate student from Albuquerque, N.M., earned recognition for outstanding performance as a jazz soloist in the college category.

"DownBeat is an important magazine, and to be able to get one of these awards before I finish school at UNT is a really nice feather in the cap," says Donohoe, who is pursuing a master's degree in jazz studies.

In addition, the Brian Donohoe/Tim Goynes Quintet was named one of two winners for best jazz group in the college category. Goynes, a guitarist, is a graduate student from Hope, Ark.

Chris Fluitt, an undergraduate student from Waco who graduated May 12, earned the award for outstanding performance as a jazz vocalist in the college category.

"It is always a great honor to be recognized for your craft," Fluitt says. "It's really exciting to view other people who have won this award and see how successful they have been."

In addition, Brad Turner, a former master's student, was named one of the "25 Trumpeters for the future."

The honorees are in good company. Previously, former UNT student Norah Jones, a Grammy-winning singer, was selected for the magazine's award.

Read other stories in this issue:

• President's Note
• Spread green pride with iron-on transfers
• Moving Forward: UNT begins offering 3 online bachelor's completion degrees
• Texas Governor's School at UNT welcomed 150 high schoolers
• Faculty Focus: Alan Needleman
• UNT Traditions: College of Music
• Featured Link: Library Mall
• Join the Exes for a UNT vs. OU road trip