Roseville jazz student joins Wynton Marsalis on CBS Evening News this weekend

Here’s a coup in our regional arts scene: We were watching the CBS Evening News on Saturday night, and Jeric Rocamora of Roseville, who attends Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, was featured in an inspiring segment with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis.

Rocamora won Essentially Ellington’s Composition Contest, and his composition — “Promises” — was recorded by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at their annual Essentially Ellington recording session this weekend. It is a national honor.

Marsalis, “an American treasure,” as the correspondent reported, “is the lead mentor of the program,” and he appeared with Jeric.

About 2700 bands compete, Marsalis said. Rio Americano High School was one of the 15 finalists, along with Rocamora’s individual honor. Essentially Ellington is considered the Super Bowl of high school festivals for jazz bands.

A video of the CBS Evening News segment is here:

Rio musician wins composition award from San Juan Unified on Vimeo.