One of the recipients of the 1997 International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE)/Arts Recognition and Talent Search (ARTS) Clifford Brown/Stan Getz Young Talent Award, first year Jazz student Carlos Henriquez has already acquired the reputation of a much sought after bassist. As one of the award winners, he performed with the Grammy Band at the Grammy Award Ceremony and with other recipients at the JVC Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall.

Studying guitar in The Juilliard School MAP program, Mr. Henriquez quickly became interested in playing the bass at the age of 13 while performing in his junior high school band. A graduate of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts where he was a member of the Jazz Orchestra and several jazz combos, he enrolled in the Jazz Program this fall. "I like the program because it is small and you have the opportunity to see and work with everybody." As the son of a trombonist and dancer, "music is second nature" to Mr. Henriquez. He plans on obtaining his B.F.A. from the Jazz Program and continuing his studies in music education.

Mr. Henriquez has performed with such music giants as Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Steve Turre, Benny Golson, Whitney Houston, Boyz to Men, Tito Nieves, Marc Anthony, and Wynton Marsalis. He is also featured on the soundtrack of the French film Ana 02 and on Eddie Palmieri's album Nuyorican Soul. In addition to these accomplishments, Mr. Henriquez has toured with rapper/dj Jazzy Jeff, George Benson, Jocelyn Brown, and Hilton Ruiz.