A local jazz musician that’s been wowing audiences since he was a student at Central College will be receiving statewide recognition.

Gabriel Espinosa, associate professor of music at Central, has been unanimously selected by the Greater Des Moines Community Jazz Center to receive the Iowa Jazz Hall of Fame award for his years of leadership in jazz music. Espinosa, who has been teaching at Central for 18 years, also has experience as a jazz performer, including fifteen years with his band, Ashanti. On October 19th, he will be inducted into the Iowa Jazz Hall of Fame at the Adventureland Hotel in Altoona. his 7 p.m. program is open to members of the public who reserve a ticket by calling 515-276-0777. Advance tickets are $20, and tickets bought at the door are $25. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. in the Parkview Room.

Photo is from Gabriel Espinosa’s website, which can be found by clicking here.