I am pleased to announce that I have been selected as one of the recipients of the 2015 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer awards. The entering composition, L'Alba sui Quartieri, is a musical tribute to the city of Naples, where I was born and raised.

I would like to thank the wonderful ensemble who played on the track. Neil Carson (tenor sax.) Gene Knific (piano), Carlos DeSoto (guitar), Gary Thomas(bass), Ben Falle (drums), Arianne Urban, Steffen Zeichner (violins), Amanda Diaz Kathryn Severing (violas), Joy Adams, Chris Young (cellos). Huge thanks to Gary Lindsay for his mentorship and pencil pushing.

Congrats to all my friends -Gene Knific, Rafael Piccolotto de Lima and Josh Plotner- who also received the award!