MICHAEL SWAN: DOWN BEAT GIVES LOVE TO PIERCE COLLEGE VOCAL GROUP >>>

Pierce College’s Farwest Vocal Jazz Ensemble entered Down Beat Magazine’s national jazz competition. Farwest submitted four songs to the national monthly jazz publication last fall, and waited for word. And waited. And waited. There wasn’t a physical competition, so they had to wait. And wait.

The word came in this week. They won Best Collegiate Vocal Jazz Group.

The four songs came off their latest CD, Groovin’ Hard, which was recorded on the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom campus last spring.

“It is a nice bit of recognition for the Farwest Vocal Jazz Ensemble,” said Director Kelly Kunz in a press release. “Our program has a longstanding tradition of excellence and this is a great honor for us.”

To access free audio and video clips of the group, visit the Pierce College Web site.