Steven Feifke, an Assistant Professor at the Berklee College of Music and Lexington High School alumnus, was awarded the 2023 Best Jazz Large Ensemble Grammy Award for leading the Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra ensemble alongside trumpeter Bijon Watson, a Boston native. Feifke is the youngest band leader to ever receive the award
As the son of a pianist, Feifke’s journey with music began at the age of four, when he first started learning the piano. However, Feifke soon grew curious about improvisation and musical composition.
“When I was around ten years old, I asked if I could learn a different type of music that let me compose on the spot. My piano teacher at the time really helped me find what I was looking for: jazz,” Feifke said.
Jared Cassedy, Lexington Public Schools’ performing arts coordinator, believes the award is a well-deserved tribute to Feifke’s work and achievements.
“Feifke’s Grammy win is not only a testament to him, but also his work ethic, the kind of programming and education he has received, and the mentors and experiences he has had along the way that have helped bring him to where he is today,” Cassedy said.
Indeed, Feifke cites LHS’s jazz program as central to his development as a musician.
“LHS has a fantastical jazz program. I worked closely with Jeff Leonard, the head of jazz at the time, and Justin Aramati back when I was freshman. They are fantastic musicians as well as fantastic educators,” Feifke said.
The Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra is an ensemble that works to showcase and celebrate generational diversity through music.
“It is composed not only of people in my generation but also Watson’s generation. There are even people that are younger than both of us,” Feifke said.
More importantly, however, Feifke describes jazz as a vehicle for creativity, allowing him to express his ideas and share them with the world.
“I love writing music, playing music, and conducting to music. Those are the three means of communication I use the most… The music is written in such a way where everyone is creating a vision together, a communal expression. That is music. It is a communal expression,” Feifke said.
