Lewis Nash Scholarship recipients celebrated at ASU concert

The School of Music, Dance and Theatre in the Arizona State University Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts launched its 2025–26 jazz season with a special Big Band Blastoff! concert on Oct. 8 featuring acclaimed guest artists and a celebration of the recipients of the school’s Lewis Nash Scholarship.

The recipients of the scholarship have included undergraduate jazz performance student Daniel Moton (2023–24) and graduate jazz performance students Wallace Steele (2024–25) and JT Torres (2025–26).

“The scholarship provided me with significant financial relief,” Steele said. “This meant I could focus on my studies rather than struggling with housing or food. I could put aside the worries of survival in order to focus on my passion.”

One of the goals of ASU’s newly launched Changing Futures campaign is to transform global education by expanding access, enriching learning and empowering students in Arizona and beyond. The Lewis Nash Scholarship expands access to a jazz education by supporting “talented and unrepresented students who have the passion and drive to move jazz forward, continuing its legacy as a force for dialogue across races and cultures,” according to Michael Kocour, director of jazz studies and professor at the school.

Kocour shared his experiences with each student at the event, calling Moton an "inspiration to all of us in the jazz program,” saying Torres is “setting the scene on fire” and describing how he was struck by Steele’s “natural leadership, great musicianship and communication skills.”

The scholarship is named after internationally acclaimed jazz drummer Lewis Nash, named the most valuable player in jazz by Modern Drummer Magazine. Nash, born and raised in the Phoenix area, is an in-demand drummer for an array of artists, has performed on 10 Grammy award-winning albums and has a discography of over 400 recordings with jazz legends such as Tommy Flanagan and Dizzy Gillespie, as well as contemporary jazz artists such as Wynton Marsalis and Diana Krall. In 2016, Nash was named the Bob and Gretchen Ravenscroft Professor of Practice in Jazz in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre.

Nash, along with guest artist and world-renowned trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, performed to a full house with ASU jazz faculty, Corcoran Holt, assistant professor of jazz bass, and Kocour. Gordon then performed with the ASU Concert Jazz Band, and also connected with students the next day in a series of workshops.

“As a jazz student, I'm honored to be able to not only speak and interact with Lewis Nash, but to be able to carry on his legacy having received the scholarship in his name,” Moton said.

Torres and Steele agreed.

“His legacy represents the very standard of excellence I aspire to uphold in my own journey, both on and off the bandstand,” Torres said. “Having the opportunity to study with Professor Nash one on one has been truly life changing and receiving this scholarship continues to make that possible.

Steele said Nash’s musicianship “reflects excellence, humility and lifelong dedication. ... Being connected to a scholarship that carries his name has motivated me to hold myself to a higher musical standard and to lead with integrity in every rehearsal, classroom and performance,” he said. “I am truly grateful — not only for the support, but for the belief this award represents. It has reminded me that my voice in music matters, and that I have a responsibility to keep pushing forward, inspiring others through the art form that continues to shape my life.”

A generous gift as a tribute to Nash from Stuart (“Stu”) and Nancy Siefer launched the Lewis Nash Scholarship in 2021.

“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Stu Siefer for his generosity and continued support of students like me,” Torres said. “This scholarship is more than just financial help — it’s a source of inspiration and encouragement that reminds me why I do what I do. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity and motivated to carry this honor forward in my work as part of the ASU jazz community and beyond.”

Stu Siefer is now doubling down on his commitment to the ASU Jazz Program by contributing an additional $10,000 in matching funds to the Lewis Nash Scholarship Endowment, encouraging friends, supporters and jazz lovers in general to join him in supporting future generations of jazz students.The first $1,600 towards the matching funds was raised the night of the event.

“To be able to carry on the tradition of this music, and to have received the support that I did, is a reminder that it's bigger than us, and that it truly does take a village,” Moton said. “I hope that as the scholarship grows and more people receive it, they are able to feel as supported and valued as they truly are.”

To donate to the scholarship, visit musicdancetheatre.asu.edu/giving/nash.