SFCC student Cole Rosaia recently won a prestigious collegiate award from the Jazz Education Network, a group that has been awarding and hosting college musicians with workshops and performances since 2008 in New Orleans.
Rosaia and his instructor David Larsen and his wife all went to accept the award in New Orleans.
“It is an international celebration of jazz,” said Larsen.
The JEN awards are a combination performance and conference. Rosaia enjoyed the value of the January conference information.
Rosaia entered the JEN contest after a phone call from Larsen. It was an evening call that sent Rosaia driving to Larsen’s house at night and recording the audition tape.
“It is a big deal for Rosaia to be acknowledged from a community college,” said Larsen.
“Most of the auditions are not from community colleges,” said Larsen.
The trip was funded by Spokane Falls Community College. Without the college’s assistance, the trip would not have been made.
“It’s an honor to represent SFCC would not have been possible without the school,” said Rosaia.
While at the event in New Orleans, the group bypassed Bourbon Street but found Frenchmen Street, the Aquarium and Zoo.
“There were lots of cool people,” said Rosaia. “We stepped in clubs and jammed. We had a day.”
While Rosaia will graduate in the spring of 2026, he was a student at the JEN awards. Practice for the JEN performance was six hours a day, five days a week, for a two hour performance, with producer Tom Bones Malone.
“There were hours of music,” Rosaia said. “So much music we had to cut some songs. It was a high energy performance.”
Rosaia was introduced to music at age 5, and hasn’t been without an instrument in his hands since. Sheet music was introduced in middle school. Using extra creativity and inventions to hear Rosaia’s music.
“They hooked up an amp to a cart and followed me, so I can play bass in the band parade,” said Rosaia.
In High School he embraced his musical talents by self professing his role. “Yeah, I am a band kid,” he said.
After a college degree Rosaia would like to teach music. He has received a scholarship for musical continuation at Eastern Washington.
“I really like music, and want to teach,” he said.
Rosaia is proud that he can earn a living as a musician in Spokane. It’s also an accomplishment for the city that it can support the arts.
Larsen and Rosaia are legitimately friends. And can be found outside campus at Emma Rue’s weekdays.
“Coin toss for who is driving,” Rosaia said.
Talent booker for Emma Rue’s, Heather Villa who says her jazz roots run deep in the city.
“David is booked every Thursday’s and consistently brings his college students,”
she said.
“Rosaia is good enough, his college professor hires him for gig’s,” said Larsen.
Rosaia was also very appreciated and acknowledged the skill level of our United
States Military Bands. He noticed a military presence at the JEN awards and they
invited attendees.
“Come jam with us,” said Rosaia. “Dudes, with instruments.”
Of his appreciation for the military bands, he expressed his gratitude.
“Best big bands,” he said.
For any questions or comments on this story, please contact Melissa Mills at sfcc.melissa.mills@gmail.com
