Pinsker-Smith receives music scholarship

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Natixis Global Asset Management has announced that Wellesley’s Jeffrey Pinsker-Smith is one of two recipients of this year’s George Wein Jazz Ambassador Scholarship. Since 2011, Natixis has provided scholarships to students who have shown tremendous musical ability, strong academic achievement, and a commitment to giving back to their communities. The scholarship was presented by David Giunta, CEO of Natixis Global Asset Management for the U.S. and Canada, during the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival, which took place Aug. 4 through Aug. 6 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI.

Natixis has been presenting sponsor of the Newport Jazz Festival since 2011. The firm awards two $5,000 scholarships annually to two aspiring college-bound musicians as part of its broader commitment to music education and to fostering the next generation of jazz musicians and fans. The scholarships are named in celebration of George Wein, the founder of the Newport Jazz Festival and one of the original jazz ambassadors, who has spent his life working to bring people together through the power of jazz.

Jeffrey Pinsker-Smith’s scholarship was presented on Sunday, Aug. 6, following his set with the Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Jazz Band. Pinsker-Smith, who graduated from Wellesley High School, began playing the trumpet after learning about jazz in middle school. He has said he loves the creative aspects of jazz improvisation and that jazz allowed him to find his “own musical voice.” Pinsker-Smith heads to the University of Rochester in the fall to study music and computer science.