LAS VEGAS - UNLV's Jazz Studies program has for the second consecutive year been invited to attend the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. The festival, which draws top student musicians from around the world, will be held April 1-3 in the Monterey, Calif.

UNLV Jazz students will undergo evaluation on a global scale amongst other university-level ensembles in one of the most prestigious arenas for young jazz musicians. Six groups compete in each category, including College Big Band Division, Conglomerate Big Band Division and College Vocal Ensemble Division. UNLV's Contemporary Combo will compete in the Open Combo Division under the leadership of Jazz Studies Director Dave Loeb.

"We are extremely proud of our talented and gifted students," said Loeb. "They are afforded the opportunity to develop their jazz arranging and composition skills in addition to perfecting their craft as performing artists. They're eager and excited to have another opportunity to perform in this world class arena."

UNLV Jazz students earned four recognitions at last year's event.

In addition to the Contemporary Combo's participation in the judged contest, the award-winning Ensemble I will join the Contemporary Combo as special guest performers for festival attendees to enjoy. Under the seasoned leadership of Loeb, UNLV's Ensemble I won "Outstanding Performance" in the large-ensemble graduate college division of DownBeat Magazine's "Student Music Awards" in 2010. National acclaim followed shortly afterwards with Jazztimes Magazine's praise of Ensemble I's latest album release, "The City."

The UNLV Jazz Studies program has been active for more than 20 years. Today, the Jazz Studies program offers degrees in instrumental or vocal jazz performance and composition at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Currently, the UNLV Jazz Studies program features three big bands and several combos, including Contemporary and Latin ensembles. Since its inception, the jazz program has received outstanding reviews from critics, including a five-star rating from the jazz publication, DownBeat Magazine.

With more than 15 recordings to its credit, the UNLV Jazz Ensemble has performed across the U.S., including the Hawaii International Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, the Kennedy Center and the Village Vanguard.