The Herbert Gussman Jazz Septet at Cornell has been recognized with a DownBeat 2026 Student Music Award in the category of Small Jazz Ensemble/Combo - College/Undergraduate Outstanding Performance. Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in jazz education, the award highlights the ensemble’s artistry and places them among the top collegiate jazz groups in the country.
This achievement marks the university’s fourth DownBeat Award in three consecutive years.
The septet’s student musicians include:
- Vocalists: Beyanca Lovelie Guilme ’27, Anthony Washington ’25
- Trumpet: Kobby Adu ’25
- Guitar: Turner Aldrich ’26
- Piano: Nathanial Choi ’28
- Bass: Adam Ronald Dixon ’25
- Drums: Tife Sokan ’25
Paul Merrill, the Herbert Gussman Director of Jazz and associate professor of the practice in the Department of Music in the College of Arts & Sciences, worked closely with the ensemble and praised the group’s artistry and dedication.
“It was an honor to work with this remarkable group of Cornell undergraduates, serious musicians whose academic pursuits also span the fields of biology, animal science, anthropology, environmental science, sociology and engineering,” he said. “To see their work recognized by DownBeat Magazine alongside students from the world’s leading jazz schools and conservatories is a powerful reminder of what makes Cornell University so extraordinary: any person, any study, and any music or art form on any stage.”
Founded in 1976, the DownBeat Student Music Awards recognize outstanding student musicians, composers and ensembles from around the world across high school, undergraduate and graduate levels. Winners are selected through a blind adjudication process by a panel of professional musicians, educators and industry experts. The competition attracts submissions from top conservatories, universities and music programs nationwide.
Each year, award recipients are featured in the DownBeat Student Music Awards issue, and many past winners have gone on to prominent careers in jazz and music education. Within collegiate music circles, earning a DownBeat Award is regarded as a significant achievement, reflecting both technical excellence and creative distinction, Merrill said.
