By Patrick Gormley
The SAM Foundation was proud to present the Floyd Fried Memorial Scholarship at Sportsmen’s Tavern on Wednesday, May 22. This annual award is presented to an outstanding musician in Buffalo’s All City Jazz Ensemble, a group comprising the top instrumental Buffalo Public School students and led by educator and musician Mark Filsinger.
Mark Filsinger, Amy Steiner, Sincere Godfrey and Patrick Gormley of the SAMF.
The $1,000 scholarship assists students with music-related expenses such as tuition, private lessons and the purchasing of instruments.
This year’s recipient is Sincere Godfrey, a senior at Hutchison Technical High School who plays baritone saxophone. In addition to the Jazz Ensemble, Sincere also performs in Hutch Tech’s Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, as well as a newly formed jazz quintet, Joe and the Jaguars. He uses his spare time to compose music, sing and even perform as a beat boxer.
Sincere will be attending Villa Maria College in the fall where he plans to study Music Business and Composition.
The awards presentation was followed by a jam session featuring both student musicians of the All City Jazz Ensemble and the professional musicians affiliated with the Buffalo Jazz Collective.
Patrick Gormley introduces the student ensemble.
