The ASCAP Foundation has announced the 2026 recipients of the Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award, with works selected by a panel of ASCAP composer members for their significance, artistry, and compositional elements. This year’s winners include Eastman Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media students Sam Chandler and Israel (Izzy) Stone, along with alumni Rafael Enciso ’21E and Denin Slage-Koch ’20E (MM), each receiving a monetary prize. Eastman’s Henry Zuccarello received an honorable mention for his composition. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees!
The ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award is presented annually to support and encourage emerging jazz composers at the earliest stages of their careers. Learn more about the Herb Alpert Foundation here.
Pictured in Feature Image: (L to R): Rafael Enciso, Sam Chandler, Denin Slage-Koch, Israel (Izzy) Stone, and Henry Zuccarello.