My name is Zaire “King” and I am enrolled into USC’s Jazz Studies Program. I am passionate about music because it has fed my soul in such a way that I cannot imagine doing anything else with my life other than pursuing music. It’s more than just “a hobby” or even a career choice—music has been the gift from God that has given my life purpose. As a kid born with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), I experienced the world with heightened emotions and sensitivity. The smallest of things used to overwhelm me. My emotions would often feel magnified a hundred-fold, especially when I was little. While growing up, I struggled managing emotions and feelings. It was a constant uphill battle, until I found music, or rather, when music found me. Music became my equalizer of emotions. It gave me an outlet to transform overwhelming feelings into expression, creativity, and peace. Being a self-taught guitarist allowed me to take control of my inner world, and in the process, I discovered who I was meant to be and what I am meant to do. This is why I am passionate about music—it has been my escape, my healer, and my mode of communication to truly express who I am. When I play or compose music, I feel connected to something much bigger than myself. Music has been my constant ever since I was a little kid, but I truly discovered music when I started playing guitar during COVID. Music has steadied me during life’s challenges, while also pushing me forth to grow. Music is both a personal calling and a universal language that I can “speak,” to help unite people, heal division in this world, and hopefully inspire others. My musical influences—artists such as Guthrie Govan, Cory Henry, Pat Metheny, and Robert Glasper have shown me how versatile and boundless music can be. The greatness of John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, and fellow "lefty," Jimi Hendrix remind me of the responsibility that comes with musicianship–to carry forward tradition while finding new ways to connect with audiences. All different artists, genres, and walks of life, yet they all can make such an impact on one person. My ultimate career goal is to be a successful and influential musician, composer, and collaborator who inspires others through both art and action. Jazz and live musicianship are traditions that risk being overshadowed in today’s fast-moving, digital and social media-focused world. I want to be instrumental in preserving jazz culture by introducing it to the younger generation–in ways that feel relevant, exciting, and new. I envision myself hosting masterclasses, workshops, and interviews that not only teach the technical aspects of music, but also encourage kids to find their own creative voice like I did. As someone who has lived with SPD, I want to be a role model for kids who feel limited by labels or circumstances. My journey has taught me that challenges can become strengths. Obstacles can present opportunities. I want to be an example for kids to see that they can transform these obstacles and challenges into something positive through creativity. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire resilience, self-expression, and confidence in those who might otherwise feel overlooked or misunderstood like I did when I didn’t realize my purpose. I think it’s important for me to give back and demonstrate music’s healing and empowering properties.

My name is Zaire “King” and I am enrolled into USC’s Jazz Studies Program. I am passionate about music because it has fed my soul in such a way that I cannot imagine doing anything else with my life other than pursuing music. It’s more than just “a hobby” or even a career choice—music has been the gift from God that has given my life purpose. As a kid born with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), I experienced the world with heightened emotions and sensitivity. The smallest of things used to overwhelm me. My emotions would often feel magnified a hundred-fold, especially when I was little. While growing up, I struggled managing emotions and feelings. It was a constant uphill battle, until I found music, or rather, when music found me. Music became my equalizer of emotions. It gave me an outlet to transform overwhelming feelings into expression, creativity, and peace. Being a self-taught guitarist, allowed me to take control of my inner world, and in the process, I discovered who I was meant to be and what I am meant to do. This is why I am passionate about music—it has been my escape, my healer, and my mode of communication to truly express who I am. When I play or compose music, I feel connected to something much bigger than myself. Music has been my constant ever since I discovered it. Music has steadied me during life’s challenges, while also pushing me forth to grow. Music is both a personal calling and a universal language that I can “speak,” to help unite people, heal division in this world, and hopefully inspire others. My musical influences—artists such as Guthrie Govan, Cory Henry, Pat Metheny, Plini, and Robert Glasper have shown me how versatile and boundless music can be. The greatness of John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, and fellow lefty, Jimi Hendrix remind me of the responsibility that comes with musicianship–to carry forward tradition while finding new ways to connect with audiences. All different artists, genres, and walks of life, yet they all can make such an impact on one person. My ultimate career goal is to be a successful and influential musician, composer, and collaborator who inspires others through both art and action. Jazz and live musicianship are traditions that risk being overshadowed in today’s fast-moving, digital and social media-focused world. I want to be instrumental in preserving jazz culture by introducing it to the younger generation–in ways that feel relevant, exciting, and new. I envision myself hosting masterclasses, workshops, and interviews that not only teach the technical aspects of music, but also encourage kids to find their own creative voice like I did. As someone who has lived with SPD, I want to be a role model for kids who feel limited by labels or circumstances. My journey has taught me that challenges can become strengths. Obstacles can present opportunities. I want to be an example for kids to see that they can transform these obstacles and challenges into something positive through creativity. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire resilience, self-expression, and confidence in those who might otherwise feel overlooked or misunderstood like I did when I didn’t realize my purpose. I think it’s important for me to give back and demonstrate music’s healing and empowering properties which is why I have volunteered my time and talent to the Autism Block Party, Pauly’s Project Autism Awareness Event, and the City of West Covina’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. I’ve had many people support my dream along my journey and I want to be able to do the same for others.

I've always said that I didn't find music, music found me. Music has shaped every part of who I am—it’s how I express myself, how I connect with others, and how I envision making a difference in the world. Inspired by legends like John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, and Wes Montgomery, and modern innovators like Guthrie Govan, Cory Henry, Plini, and Robert Glasper, I’ve developed a deep love for jazz and its ability to communicate powerful emotion and truth. Music truly saved me and gave me an outlet to positively dispel all my inner struggles. I was trying to thrive as a young, black, sensitive, musical kid existing in a neighborhood, a microcosm that didn't reflect who I am, what I am, what I saw in the mirror, and what I wanted to become. My ultimate career goal is to become a successful and influential musician, composer, and collaborator. I want to push the boundaries of jazz, making it resonate with my generation while preserving its rich legacy. Through albums—one of my favorite forms of expression—I pour my heart into self-produced passion projects, each one crafted to inspire and connect. At age 16, I composed, arranged, and copyrighted my very own debut album titled, The Expressionist, found on streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify. I saved my own gigging money to book a studio for this album. Myself and a few of my friends from high school, California School of the Arts–practiced, rehearsed tirelessly, and a few months later, The Expressionist, was made. It was at this school that I truly began to exercise my “performing muscle” and began to feel the confidence and engagement of playing my guitar. Following The Expressionist, in the confines of my bedroom, I used my own equipment to self-produce my follow-up “sophomore” collaboration album, The Sire, involving many of my musical friends from my performing arts high school while also working on L-O-V-E (The Experience) by Zelff + Mind and Negus by Queen Mother which are my band projects (also found on all streaming platforms). Albums, to me, are like nuggets of gold: small, but full of meaning and potential. They have the power to reach people far beyond my immediate circle, and that’s what drives me. Currently, as an undergrad (freshman) student at USC (University of Southern California), my musical journey and passion continues, morphing into something that I had not anticipated. I am discovering new sounds, finding and allowing myself the creative freedom for experimentation. Interweaving rhythms, beats, technology, while respecting and maintaining the principles of my love, jazz music. With this newfound creativity, my latest album, Abc’s, has made its debut on streaming platforms. It is my dream to tour the world, creating magical musical moments and long-lasting memories alongside fellow creatives, spreading love, peace, and unity through my music. I plan to someday host masterclasses and interviews to inspire and educate young creatives like myself. I want to help kids find their voice in music and show them that it’s okay to take risks and be different. Music is faith in action—it’s about believing in your vision even before anyone else sees it. I hope to be a light for others, just as my musical heroes have been for me.

I am passionate about music because it has fed my soul in such a way that I cannot imagine doing anything else with my life other than pursuing music. It’s more than just “a hobby” or even a career choice at this point—music has been the gift from God that has given my life purpose. As a child born with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), I experienced the world with heightened emotions and sensitivity. The smallest of things used to overwhelm me. My emotions would often feel magnified a hundred times over, especially when I was little. While growing up as a child, I struggled to manage these emotions and feelings. It was a constant uphill battle, until I found music, or rather, when music found me. Music became my equalizer of emotions. It gave me an outlet to transform overwhelming feelings into expression, creativity, and peace. Learning to play the guitar on my own allowed me to take control of my inner world, and in the process, I discovered who I was meant to be and what I am meant to do. This is why I am passionate about music—it has been my escape, my healer, and my mode of communication to truly express who I am. When I play music or compose, I feel connected to something much bigger than myself. Music has been my constant ever since I discovered it and music has steadied me during life’s challenges, while also pushing me forth to grow. Music is both a personal calling and a universal language that I can “speak,”--to help unite people, heal division in this world, and hopefully inspire others. My musical influences—artists such as Guthrie Govan, Cory Henry, Plini, Pat Metheny, and Robert Glasper have shown me how versatile and boundless music can be. At the same time, the greatness of John Coltrane, Norman Brown, Wes Montgomery, and fellow lefty, Jimi Hendrix remind me of the responsibility that comes with musicianship–to carry forward tradition while finding new ways to connect with audiences and sometimes even call people to action. All different artists, different genres, from different walks of life, yet they all can make such an impact on one person. My ultimate career goal is to be a successful and influential musician, composer, and collaborator who inspires others through both art and action, just like my musical influences. Jazz and live musicianship are traditions that risk being downplayed and overlooked in today’s fast-moving, digital, social media-focused world. I want to be instrumental in preserving jazz culture by introducing it to the younger generation–in ways that feel relevant, exciting, and new. I envision myself hosting masterclasses, workshops, and interviews that not only teach the technical aspects of music, but also encourage kids to find their own creative voice like I did. As someone who has lived with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), I want to be a role model for kids who feel limited by labels or circumstances. My journey has taught me that challenges can become strengths. Obstacles can present opportunities. I want to be an example for kids to see that they can transform these obstacles and challenges into something positive through creativity. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire resilience, self-expression, and confidence in those who might otherwise feel overlooked or misunderstood like I did as a young child, when I didn’t realize my purpose. I think it’s important for me to give back and demonstrate music’s healing and empowering properties. I’ve had many people support my dream along my journey and I want to be able to do the same for others.

I believe that today’s music is more diverse, interconnected, and boundary-pushing than ever before. The current landscape is a global melting pot where genres blend, cultures intersect, and artists are no longer defined by a single sound. Jazz influences hip-hop, gospel inspires R&B, and electronic textures now shape pop, prog rock, and even classical compositions. Streaming platforms have opened doors for independent artists, such as myself, to share our voices with the world, but they have also created challenges—oversaturation, fleeting attention spans, and an emphasis on trends over artistry. Still, I believe true musicianship, authenticity, and innovation continue to rise above the noise. Music has fed my soul in such a way that I can’t imagine doing anything else. I am finding my purpose in life through this gift, through music. As a child born with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), the tiniest things would affect me—my senses, my mood—and I often felt emotions one hundred times stronger than others around me. Music became my equalizer. It gave me a way to balance my heightened emotions, transform negativity into creativity, and find a safe space for expression. Now that I have discovered what God has gifted me, I can’t imagine life without music, without my guitar. My foundation in jazz gives me a deep respect for improvisation, storytelling, and collaboration. Yet, I also see myself pushing boundaries by blending jazz with modern sounds—hip-hop rhythms, electronic layers, and global influences. My goal is to connect with my generation while preserving the spirit of jazz, ensuring that its culture continues to inspire future musicians. Inspired by Guthrie Govan, Cory Henry, Plini, Pat Metheny, and Robert Glasper, and grounded by legends like John Coltrane, Norman Brown, Wes Montgomery, and fellow lefty Jimi Hendrix, I aspire to follow in their footsteps while carving out my own path. My ultimate career goal is to be a successful and influential musician, composer, and collaborator. I want to host masterclasses and interviews to spread a message of love and peace through music while educating kids who, like me, are still trying to find their creative space. As someone with SPD, I hope to be an example, demonstrating that labels do not define or limit what you can achieve. Impact, for me, comes from authenticity and intention. In a time when much of music is consumed passively, I strive to create art that invites listeners to be present, to feel deeply, to leave transformed, and possibly called to action. By blending tradition with innovation, and artistry with purpose, I hope to not just participate in today’s music landscape but to help shape it. My dream is to use my guitar, my voice, and my story to inspire others, preserve jazz culture, and spread unity through music.

My “why” is rooted in the belief that music and art are the most honest forms of communication we have—and in a world that’s becoming increasingly fast-paced and digitized, honesty and soul are more important than ever. Music has shaped every part of who I am. It’s not just my craft—it’s my compass, my voice, and my bridge to others. Inspired by visionaries like John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, and Wes Montgomery, and driven by the modern genius of Guthrie Govan, Cory Henry, Plini, and Robert Glasper, I’ve built my identity around jazz and its boundless spirit of innovation. In this era of artificial intelligence, digital design, and automated tools, some may worry that the soul of art is being lost. I see it differently. I see technology as a means to extend the reach of creativity. Yes, anyone can make a beat or generate a melody with a few clicks—but only an artist can breathe life into it. My albums, such as The Expressionist, The Sire, and collaborations like L-O-V-E (The Experience) and Negus, are all crafted to fuse emotion and intention with sound. Technology enhances my ability to produce, but it doesn’t replace the storytelling behind each note. Looking ahead, I want to create a visual and musical universe—a multimedia series that blends jazz, animation, and narrative. Think of an animated TV show or a digital comic series where each episode or issue is paired with an original album. Characters would have musical themes. Episodes would explore social issues through symbolic, sonic storytelling. The same way Coltrane told stories without words, I want to build stories where visuals and music work hand-in-hand to move people. As a student of the arts, I will continue learning not just how to create—but why we create. I want to mentor young artists, host masterclasses, and remind the next generation that their voice matters. That taking creative risks isn’t reckless—it’s revolutionary. Music has given me courage, clarity, and purpose. My mission is to pass that forward, one song, one project, one soul at a time.

My high school career has been shaped by a deep commitment to becoming the best in my craft. I chose practicing guitar over hanging out in the quad. I skipped prom to stay home composing music and arranging jazz standards. That dedication has paid off—I’ve earned the respect of older peers and became a role model in my conservatory. As a sophomore and junior, I formed strong friendships and musical partnerships that have guided me through thick and thin. But being close with upperclassmen meant experiencing tough goodbyes every year as they graduated while I stayed behind. In my junior year, I had an idea—an ambitious one. I wanted to bring all of my favorite artists together to create a collaborative concept album. My vision was to highlight each musician and their unique voice. Some of these collaborators were college students, others local classmates. For a few of them, this would be their first appearance on an album. I wanted it to be something meaningful—a true opus of friendship and collaboration. The first challenge was understanding each of the 13 artists I invited. I had to learn what genres they loved, how they played, and how I could blend those elements with my vision. This process pushed me beyond jazz guitar. One day, I’d be programming hip-hop beats with synths and drum pads; the next, I’d be working on folk or bossa nova, layering nylon-string guitars and Latin percussion. I found joy in moving between genres—it opened up new creative doors and brought me closer to the artistic worlds of my friends. I hoped that the diversity of sound would reach a wider audience, spreading the core message of the album: friendship and collaboration. The second challenge was producing the album myself. Using a DAW I received as a gift years ago, I taught myself how to record everything—from drums to violin to vocals. I learned how to mix, EQ, and balance the sound so that no instrument overpowered the others. I also learned how to work with vocalists, which was new for me since I usually focused on instrumental music. The final challenge was managing the personalities of my collaborators. Some were perfectionists, and I had to reassure them that their best take was more than good enough. Others were more laid-back, and I had to motivate them to go for another round—without hurting their feelings or stifling their creativity. This role of producer taught me patience, leadership, and how to bring out the best in others. Despite the challenges, this project made my junior year incredibly special. It helped me say goodbye to the people who meant the most to me, not with words, but with music. Now, our album—The Sire by Zaire King—is out on Apple Music. I hope listeners can hear the spirit of friendship, family, and creativity that I poured into every mix, every guitar solo, and every vocal edit. It was a labor of love, and my way of honoring the artists who helped shape who I am. Here is the link to my album, titled, The Sire by Zaire King: https://zaireking.hearnow.com/

I’m Zaire King. I am a senior at CSARTS—California School of the Arts in Duarte, California. I have been the Principal Guitarist and Jazz Ambassador at CSARTS for the past 2 years. I am a self-taught, left-handed guitarist. I know how to read, write, compose, and arrange musical scores for an entire ensemble. I’ve been playing guitar for about 6 years and have been privileged to play with jazz greats such as Michal Paulo, who was the saxophonist for Al Jarreau. Some notable concerts I’ve played at have been the Temecula Wine and Jazz Festival, Fête De La Musique, a PBS broadcasted Christmas Special at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and The Autism Acceptance and Awareness Block Party which is a yearly event that I volunteer my time and talent to. I’ve won the YAHN 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year Award which extended beyond me being a guitarist and showed me that I need to constantly treat my musicianship as a brand and a business. At 16, I composed, arranged, and copywrote my very own debut album titled, The Expressionist, found on streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify. Following The Expressionist, The Sire, was a follow-up “sophomore” album, L-O-V-E (The Experience) by Zelff + Mind and Negus by Queen Mother which are my band projects and can also be found on all streaming platforms. My ultimate career goal is to be a successful and influential musician/composer/collaborator. Some of my favorite artists are Guthrie Govan, Cory Henry, Plini, Pat Metheny, and Robert Glasper. Inspired by the greatnesses of John Coltrane, Norman Brown, Wes Montgomery, and fellow lefty, Jimi Hendrix; my goal is to peak the interest of music lovers that are in my age group and demonstrate my passion to spread my love of jazz music to the world. I plan to progress the movement of jazz and be instrumental with our youth to preserve the jazz music culture. I aspire to be like these amazing musicians and follow in their footsteps. I want to also host masterclasses and interviews so I can further spread my message of love and peace within music as well as educate kids like me that are trying to find their creative space. I find a lot of enjoyment in creating albums. I’m an album fanatic and I try to listen to a different album each day as a source of inspiration. Due to this love of albums, I naturally gravitate towards making albums--self produced passion projects. Albums are similar to nuggets of gold, such a small thing can have so much potential and worth. The power to reach people through albums is what motivates me to continue working. Making music is a lot like having faith; sometimes you simply have to believe that you’re working towards creating a life changing legacy even if you don’t yet see the fruits of your labors. I like to envision myself one day inspiring kids just like myself to take risks and to go out–creating beautiful music that can change the world. I like to think about what my life would be as a touring musician and how many people I could reach and encourage to give back. This award will help me achieve my goals. As I really want to be able to afford the college of my dreams. I will be attending a prestigious music college that will allow me to refine my craft-- USC, to pursue music (Jazz Studies).

My high school career has been shaped by a deep commitment to becoming the best in my craft. I chose practicing guitar over hanging out in the quad. I skipped prom to stay home composing music and arranging jazz standards. That dedication has paid off—I’ve earned the respect of older peers and became a role model in my conservatory. As a sophomore and junior, I formed strong friendships and musical partnerships that have guided me through thick and thin. But being close with upperclassmen meant experiencing tough goodbyes every year as they graduated while I stayed behind. In my junior year, I had an idea—an ambitious one. I wanted to bring all of my favorite artists together to create a collaborative concept album. My vision was to highlight each musician and their unique voice. Some of these collaborators were college students, others local classmates. For a few of them, this would be their first appearance on an album. I wanted it to be something meaningful—a true opus of friendship and collaboration. The first challenge was understanding each of the 13 artists I invited. I had to learn what genres they loved, how they played, and how I could blend those elements with my vision. This process pushed me beyond jazz guitar. One day, I’d be programming hip-hop beats with synths and drum pads; the next, I’d be working on folk or bossa nova, layering nylon-string guitars and Latin percussion. I found joy in moving between genres—it opened up new creative doors and brought me closer to the artistic worlds of my friends. I hoped that the diversity of sound would reach a wider audience, spreading the core message of the album: friendship and collaboration. The second challenge was producing the album myself. Using a DAW I received as a gift years ago, I taught myself how to record everything—from drums to violin to vocals. I learned how to mix, EQ, and balance the sound so that no instrument overpowered the others. I also learned how to work with vocalists, which was new for me since I usually focused on instrumental music. The final challenge was managing the personalities of my collaborators. Some were perfectionists, and I had to reassure them that their best take was more than good enough. Others were more laid-back, and I had to motivate them to go for another round—without hurting their feelings or stifling their creativity. This role of producer taught me patience, leadership, and how to bring out the best in others. Despite the challenges, this project made my junior year incredibly special. It helped me say goodbye to the people who meant the most to me, not with words, but with music. Now, our album—The Sire by Zaire King—is out on Apple Music. I hope listeners can hear the spirit of friendship, family, and creativity that I poured into every mix, every guitar solo, and every vocal edit. It was a labor of love, and my way of honoring the artists who helped shape who I am. Here is the link to my album, titled, The Sire by Zaire King: https://zaireking.hearnow.com/ The Sire by Zaire King

I’m Zaire King. I am a senior at CSARTS—California School of the Arts in Duarte, California. I have been the Principal Guitarist and Jazz Ambassador at CSARTS for the past 2 years. I am a self-taught, left-handed guitarist. I know how to read, write, compose, and arrange musical scores for an entire ensemble. I’ve been playing guitar for about 6 years and have been privileged to play with jazz greats such as Michal Paulo, who was the saxophonist for Al Jarreau. Some notable concerts I’ve played at have been the Temecula Wine and Jazz Festival, Fête De La Musique, a PBS broadcasted Christmas Special at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and The Autism Acceptance and Awareness Block Party which is a yearly event that I volunteer my time and talent to. I’ve won the YAHN 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year Award which extended beyond me being a guitarist and showed me that I need to constantly treat my musicianship as a brand and a business. At 16, I composed, arranged, and copywrote my very own debut album titled, The Expressionist, found on streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify. Following The Expressionist, The Sire, was a follow-up “sophomore” album, L-O-V-E (The Experience) by Zelff + Mind and Negus by Queen Mother which are my band projects and can also be found on all streaming platforms. My ultimate career goal is to be a successful and influential musician/composer/collaborator. Some of my favorite artists are Guthrie Govan, Cory Henry, Plini, Pat Metheny, and Robert Glasper. Inspired by the greatnesses of John Coltrane, Norman Brown, Wes Montgomery, and fellow lefty, Jimi Hendrix; my goal is to peak the interest of music lovers that are in my age group and demonstrate my passion to spread my love of jazz music to the world, I plan to progress the movement of jazz and be instrumental with our youth to preserve the jazz music culture. I aspire to be like these amazing musicians and follow in their footsteps. I want to also host masterclasses and interviews so I can further spread my message of love and peace within music as well as educate kids like me that are trying to find their creative space. As a kid with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), I want to be a positive influence and an example of not letting labels limit you or your artform.

I am a senior at CSARTS—California School of the Arts in Duarte, California. I have been the Principal Guitarist and Jazz Ambassador at CSARTS for the past 2 years. I am a self-taught, left-handed guitarist. I’ve been playing guitar for about 6 years and have been privileged to play with jazz greats such as Michal Paulo (former saxophonist for Al Jarreau). Some notable concerts I’ve played at have been the Temecula Wine and Jazz Festival, Fête De La Musique, a PBS broadcasted Christmas Special at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and The Autism Acceptance and Awareness Block Party which is a yearly event that I volunteer my time and talent to. At 16, I composed, arranged, and copywrote my first debut album titled, The Expressionist, (Apple Music and Spotify). When I was younger, much of my childhood could be characterized as trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. My parents put me in countless extracurricular activities trying to see where I’d fit. Sports was an absolute no (I once scored the wrong goal on the opposing team). But, by the grace of God, music chose me. It was unexpected to both myself and my parents, but music became my passion. Music fed my soul in a way that nothing else could. Music continues to be a source of escape and expression for me. As a kid born with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), the tiniest things would affect me, my mood, and because of this, I had always felt emotions 100 times stronger than how they actually were. Music acted as an equalizer of emotions and helped me to positively dispel the negative emotions that I would otherwise hyper fixate on. I find a lot of enjoyment in creating albums. I’m an album fanatic and I try to listen to a different album each day as a source of inspiration for me. Due to this love of albums, I naturally gravitate towards making albums--self produced passion projects. Albums are similar to nuggets of gold, such a small trivial thing can have so much potential and worth. The power to reach people through albums is what motivates me to continue working. Making music is a lot like having faith; sometimes you have to believe that you’re working towards creating a life changing legacy even if you don’t yet see the fruits of your labors. I like to envision myself one day inspiring kids just like myself to take risks and to go out–creating beautiful music that can change the world. I think about going on tour with my band and creating magical moments in each city, state, or country I happen to play in. There’s a handful of artists that I truly admire that have that gift to create beautiful music and truly reach people through their live performances. Artists such as John Coltrane, Jacob Collier, and Cory Henry have had that impact. I aspire to be like these amazing musicians and follow in their footsteps. I want to host masterclasses and interviews so I can further spread my message of love and peace within music as well as educate kids like me that are trying to find their creative space. This award will help me achieve my goals. I really want to be able to afford the college of my dreams. I want to attend a prestigious music college that will allow me to refine my craft. I have applied to Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, The New School, Berklee, USC, and UCLA. I have 5 upcoming college auditions and I feel closer to my dreams, my goals.

I’m Zaire King. I am a senior at CSARTS—California School of the Arts in Duarte, California. I have been the Principal Guitarist and Jazz Ambassador at CSARTS for the past 2 years. I am a self-taught, left-handed guitarist. I know how to read, write, compose, and arrange musical scores for an entire ensemble. I’ve been playing guitar for about 6 years and have been privileged to play with jazz greats such as Michal Paulo, who was the saxophonist for Al Jarreau. Some notable concerts I’ve played at have been the Temecula Wine and Jazz Festival, Fête De La Musique, a PBS broadcasted Christmas Special at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and The Autism Acceptance and Awareness Block Party which is a yearly event that I volunteer my time and talent to. I’ve won the YAHN 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year Award which extended beyond me being a guitarist and showed me that I need to constantly treat my musicianship as a brand and a business. At 16, I composed, arranged, and copywrote my very own debut album titled, The Expressionist, found on streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify. Following The Expressionist, The Sire, was a follow-up “sophomore” album, L-O-V-E (The Experience) by Zelff + Mind and Negus by Queen Mother which are my band projects and can also be found on all streaming platforms. My ultimate career goal is to be a successful and influential musician/composer/collaborator. Some of my favorite artists are Guthrie Govan, Cory Henry, Plini, Pat Metheny, and Robert Glasper. Inspired by the greatnesses of John Coltrane, Norman Brown, Wes Montgomery, and fellow lefty, Jimi Hendrix; my goal is to peak the interest of music lovers that are in my age group and demonstrate my passion to spread my love of jazz music to the world. I plan to progress the movement of jazz and be instrumental with our youth to preserve the jazz music culture. I aspire to be like these amazing musicians and follow in their footsteps. I want to also host masterclasses and interviews so I can further spread my message of love and peace within music as well as educate kids like me that are trying to find their creative space. I find a lot of enjoyment in creating albums. I’m an album fanatic and I try to listen to a different album each day as a source of inspiration. Due to this love of albums, I naturally gravitate towards making albums--self produced passion projects. Albums are similar to nuggets of gold, such a small thing can have so much potential and worth. The power to reach people through albums is what motivates me to continue working. Making music is a lot like having faith; sometimes you simply have to believe that you’re working towards creating a life changing legacy even if you don’t yet see the fruits of your labors. I like to envision myself one day inspiring kids just like myself to take risks and to go out–creating beautiful music that can change the world. I like to think about what my life would be as a touring musician and how many people I could reach and encourage to give back. This award will help me achieve my goals. As I really want to be able to afford the college of my dreams. I want to attend a prestigious music college that will allow me to refine my craft. I have applied to Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, The New School, Berklee, USC, and UCLA to pursue music (Global Jazz Studies).

I’m Zaire King. I am a senior at CSARTS—California School of the Arts in Duarte, California. I have been the Principal Guitarist and Jazz Ambassador at CSARTS for the past 2 years. I am a self-taught, left-handed guitarist. I know how to read, write, compose, and arrange musical scores for an entire ensemble. I’ve been playing guitar for about 6 years and have been privileged to play with jazz greats such as Michal Paulo, who was the saxophonist for Al Jarreau. Some notable concerts I’ve played at have been the Temecula Wine and Jazz Festival, Fête De La Musique, a PBS broadcasted Christmas Special at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and The Autism Acceptance and Awareness Block Party which is a yearly event that I volunteer my time and talent to. I’ve won the YAHN 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year Award which extended beyond me being a guitarist and showed me that I need to constantly treat my musicianship as a brand and a business. At 16, I composed, arranged, and copywrote my very own debut album titled, The Expressionist, found on streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify. Following The Expressionist, The Sire, was a follow-up “sophomore” album, L-O-V-E (The Experience) by Zelff + Mind and Negus by Queen Mother which are my band projects and can also be found on all streaming platforms. My ultimate career goal is to be a successful and influential musician/composer/collaborator. Some of my favorite artists are Guthrie Govan, Cory Henry, Plini, Pat Metheny, and Robert Glasper. Inspired by the greatnesses of John Coltrane, Norman Brown, Wes Montgomery, and fellow lefty, Jimi Hendrix; my goal is to peak the interest of music lovers that are in my age group and demonstrate my passion to spread my love of jazz music to the world. I plan to progress the movement of jazz and be instrumental with our youth to preserve the jazz music culture. I aspire to be like these amazing musicians and follow in their footsteps. I want to also host masterclasses and interviews so I can further spread my message of love and peace within music as well as educate kids like me that are trying to find their creative space. I find a lot of enjoyment in creating albums. I’m an album fanatic and I try to listen to a different album each day as a source of inspiration. Due to this love of albums, I naturally gravitate towards making albums--self produced passion projects. Albums are similar to nuggets of gold, such a small thing can have so much potential and worth. The power to reach people through albums is what motivates me to continue working. Making music is a lot like having faith; sometimes you simply have to believe that you’re working towards creating a life changing legacy even if you don’t yet see the fruits of your labors. I like to envision myself one day inspiring kids just like myself to take risks and to go out–creating beautiful music that can change the world. I like to think about what would my life be as a touring musician and how many people I could reach and encourage to give back. This award will help me achieve my goals. As I really want to be able to afford the college of my dreams. I want to attend a prestigious music college that will allow me to refine my craft. I have applied to Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, The New School, Berklee, USC, and UCLA to pursue music (Global Jazz Studies).

From the clothes we wear to the foods we eat–even to the furniture we sit on, everything is made from an artist’s hands. Art surrounds us whether we know it or not. I’m Zaire King. I am a senior at CSARTS—California School of the Arts in Duarte, California. I have been the Principal Guitarist and Jazz Ambassador at CSARTS for the past 2 years. I am a self-taught, left-handed guitarist. I know how to read, write, compose, and arrange musical scores for an entire ensemble. I’ve been playing guitar for about 6 years. At 16, I composed, arranged, and copywrote my very own debut album titled, The Expressionist, found on streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify. At 17, The Sire, my “sophomore” album, L-O-V-E (The Experience) by Zelff + Mind and Negus by Queen Mother which are my band projects and can also be found on all streaming platforms. Much of my childhood could be characterized as trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. My parents enrolled me in countless extracurricular activities trying to see where I’d “fit in.” Sports, an absolute no (I scored the wrong goal on the opposing team). Chess, a possibility. But, by the grace of God, music chose me. It was unexpected to both myself and my parents, but music became my passion. Music fed my soul in a way that nothing else could. Music continues to be a source of escape and expression for me. As a child born with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), the tiniest things affect me, my mood, and because of this, I have always felt emotions 100 times stronger than how they actually are. Music has acted as an equalizer of emotions and has helped me to positively dispel the negative emotions that I would otherwise hyper fixate on. I find a lot of enjoyment in creating albums. In all honesty, I’m an album fanatic and I try to listen to a different album each day as a source of inspiration. Due to this love of albums, I naturally gravitate towards making albums--self produced passion projects. Albums are similar to nuggets of gold, such a small thing can have so much potential and worth. The power to reach people through albums is what motivates me to continue working. Making music is a lot like having faith; sometimes you simply have to believe that you’re working towards creating a life changing legacy even if you don’t yet see the fruits of your labor. I like to envision myself one day inspiring kids just like myself to take risks and to go out–creating beautiful music that can change the world. My ultimate career goal is to be a successful and influential musician/composer/collaborator. Some of my favorite artists are Cory Henry, Pat Metheny, and Robert Glasper. Inspired by the greatnesses of John Coltrane, Norman Brown, Wes Montgomery, and fellow lefty, Jimi Hendrix; my goal is to peak the interest of music lovers that are in my age group and demonstrate my passion to spread my love of jazz music to the world. I plan to progress the movement of jazz and be instrumental with our youth to preserve the jazz music culture, the music of African-American peoples. I have applied to Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, The New School, Berklee, USC, and UCLA to pursue music (Global Jazz Studies). This scholarship will help me immensely with costs, especially fees that come with auditioning, flying to the East Coast, and being able to contribute since my parents have been helping me and paid for me to visit these schools.

From the clothes we wear to the foods we eat–even to the furniture we sit on, everything is made from an artist’s hands. Art surrounds us whether we know it or not. When I was younger, much of my childhood could be characterized as trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. My parents enrolled me in countless extracurricular activities trying to see where I’d “fit in.” Sports was an absolute no. Chess a possibility. But, by the grace of God, music chose me. It was unexpected to both myself and my parents, but music became my passion. Music fed my soul in a way that nothing else could. Music continues to be a source of escape and expression for me. As a child born with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), the tiniest things affect me, my mood, and because of this, I have always felt emotions 100 times stronger than how they actually are. Music has acted as an equalizer of emotions and has helped me to positively dispel the negative emotions that I would otherwise hyper fixate on. I find a lot of enjoyment in creating albums. In all honesty, I’m an album fanatic and I try to listen to a different album each day as a source of inspiration. Due to this love of albums, I naturally gravitate towards making albums--self produced passion projects. The power to reach people through albums is what motivates me to continue working. Making music is a lot like having faith; sometimes you simply have to believe that you’re working towards creating a life changing legacy even if you don’t yet see the fruits of your labors. I like to envision myself one day inspiring kids just like myself to take risks and to go out–creating beautiful music that can change the world. I like to think about what would my life be as a touring musician and how many people I could reach. I think about creating magical moments in each city, state, or country I happen to play in. There’s a handful of artists that I truly admire that have that gift to create beautiful music and truly reach people through their live performances. Artists such as John Coltrane, Jacob Collier, Pat Metheny, and Cory Henry have had that impact on people. I aspire to be like these amazing musicians and follow in their footsteps. I want to also host masterclasses and interviews so I can further spread my message of love and peace within music as well as educate kids like me that are trying to find their creative space and “fit in” within our world. This award, The Neil Margeson Sound Scholarship will help me achieve my goals. As I really want to be able to afford the college of my dreams. I want to attend a prestigious music college that will allow me to refine my craft. A lot of the colleges that I have applied to are not only expensive, but have also involved prescreens, upcoming live auditions, and pricey application fees. Colleges such as Berklee, USC, UCLA, The New School, Manhattan School of Music, and Juilliard. I also need to take into account how costly being a musician is and being awarded this scholarship would help me with my college journey, to pay for fees, get proper equipment, and the tools needed to continue to have a prosperous future in music.

I’m Zaire “King” Franklin and since middle school I’ve had the dream of being a world class entrepreneurial musician. A musician that the youth can look up to for guidance and inspiration. A musician that can create prolific music that both brings people together as well as break societal norms that negatively affect the world. Ever since I laid my hands on a guitar, things began to make sense to me. Playing music has always calmed me down instantly and has given me the strength to overcome even the hardest of hurdles within my life. Though I started out with guitar, my insatiable appetite for music caused me to learn numerous instruments such as the piano, drums, bass, mandolin, melodica, and many more instruments as a way to further express myself. The gratifying aspect of being a musician is the fact that there’s many facets one can go through while still being connected to music. Primarily, I aim to be a household name, such as musicians like Lenny Kravitz or Quincy Jones. One way that I’m trying to achieve this is by recording albums as a way for people to hear me and my message beyond my family and friend network. At the age of 17, I already have 2 solo albums out, The Expressionist and The Sire (Apple Music) while simultaneously working on albums by the numerous bands I’m in. With the help of supportive family members, I’ve been blessed with equipment and instruments to actualize said projects; however, with ever changing technology, there is always room for improvement in recording software. Because of the current music industry standards, many artists have opted to be independent artists, utilizing digital workspaces such as Ableton or Logic to record their music. On top of this, many independent artists are their own self-financiers and though it is better than being signed to a record label; it is a costly pursuit to advertise, market, copyright, and send out your own music. Another avenue I’m interested in is being part of a band (or even multiple bands). Though I’m mainly a jazz guitarist, I really enjoy playing other genres of music and incorporating my jazz background to further progress and innovate within whatever genre I’m playing. Currently I’m in 2 bands. I feel that I’ve grown so much as a leader and a musician by being involved in multiple bands. I feel more prepared to work with artists despite their cultural and personal backgrounds and I feel more confident in my abilities to adapt as a musician (which is a key component in being a jazz musician in the first place). I think it would be really fulfilling to have both a solo and band career as I can focus on different aspects of my persona and artistry and it will give me much needed breaks from just having to focus on building the “Zaire King” show. The magic behind being a part of a band is the fact that sometimes bands can act as your family. It’s a really beautiful and creative environment when you play with individuals with whom you really connect with, who have your back as a friend, and as a fellow band member. Playing music invigorates me and I can see the healing effect it has on people. The more I can play and show off my music to the world, the better. When people ask me where do I see myself in 10 years–I see myself standing on a stage, amongst a crowd of thousands, playing my music that has hopefully inspired people to live, create, and love the journey that is life.