A $25,000 gift from jazz enthusiasts Nathan and Priscilla Gordon will establish the Gordon Scholarship in Brass at the University of New Orleans.The scholarship will support new undergraduate students who are majoring in jazz at the University of New Orleansw and demonstrate talent in playing a brass instrument.

Nathan, a trumpet player himself, and Priscilla Gordon reside in New Orleans as well as Reno, Nevada. The Gordons say they intend their gift to UNO to help continue the evolution of jazz in New Orleans. They are active supporters of the local jazz scene, including UNO’s Jazz at the Sandbar series, which gives UNO students the opportunity to perform with nationally and internationally known jazz musicians in front of a live audience. In April, the Gordons sponsored a Jazz at the Sandbar concert featuring Maurice Brown, a Grammy-winning musician who has worked with some of the biggest names in jazz, funk and R&B.

“First and foremost, Priscilla and I love jazz. We are so impressed by the quality of the jazz students and faculty at UNO, and we are enthusiastic supporters of Jazz at the Sandbar. We think the best way we can help enhance jazz in New Orleans is to fund this scholarship at UNO, and help students get the best possible instruction,” said Nathan Gordon.

The Gordon Scholarship in Brass will be granted each fall and spring semester, provided the student remains in good standing with the University. Recipients are eligible to receive the scholarship for a maximum of eight semesters. The first award will be made as early as the fall 2012 semester.