The Heart of Jazz (HOJ) is thrilled to announce the selection of Troy Bell and Robert “Robbie” Cisneros as its newest scholarship recipients. Both freshmen at William Paterson University, Troy and Robbie exemplify the next generation of jazz excellence.

If you want to glimpse the future of jazz, check out the Imani Records Club Patio Jazz Day 2024 at the Whitemarsh Valley Event Center in Fort Washington on Aug. 31. The six-hour festival will be headlined inside by the consummate pianist Orrin Evans and his band of fiery collaborators. But on an outside stage, numerous younger players will hold forth, giving listeners a chance to look forward and imagine the possibilities of jazz in the future.

These players range in age from 15 to 25. One common theme is that despite their youth, they have been honing their craft for years. Another thread is that they have all had the benefit of excellent teachers from William Paterson University and elsewhere as well as the support in some cases from The Heart of Jazz Foundation, whose mission is to support young players.

Here are their stories…

Here are their stories.