This is a collective message from the student body of the Cal State University, Northridge Jazz Studies department. We aim to clarify our consensus as a department and present a formal and unified manifesto. 

Thirty six years ago, Gary Pratt took over the CSUN Jazz program and forged it into what it is today. During his time here, Pratt has instilled a set of core values and high standards of excellence and professionalism. Under his direction, the CSUN Jazz program is a household name within the Los Angeles and international jazz community, winning countless awards and competitions. Whenever a student or alumni states they are in/have gone through the CSUN Jazz program, there is an immediate association of high musicianship and respectability. Due to its consistent high level of eminence, CSUN Jazz has recently been invited to compete in the first annual Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Jazz Championship in NY as one of ten internationally recognized schools in America. Under the leadership of Gary Pratt and Matt Harris, CSUN big bands and small groups have also won competitions in the Reno Jazz Festival, Monterey Next Gen Jazz Festival, and Downbeat Best Composition, Best Small Group, and Best Big Band awards. Pratt has demonstrated commitment, care, and love to his students and the program which has allowed CSUN to evolve into the powerhouse jazz program it is recognized as today.

Due to our prominent reputation, the CSUN Jazz program has been gratefully given scholarship opportunities by the renowned Herb Alpert Foundation. In 2014, the foundation agreed to match all funds donated to the CSUN Jazz department up to $50,000. With small donor contributions, as well as support from the Wells Fargo Foundation and the Zacky Corporation, the total amount raised for CSUN Jazz was $175,000. “Because of Alpert’s jazz roots, "a significant priority of the Herb Alpert Foundation is support for jazz, and our recognition of the CSUN Jazz Program's standard of excellence in nurturing young jazz musicians inspired us to provide our first grant in 2005,” said Sebastian. Gary Pratt, director of the Jazz Studies Program, said these funds from the Alpert Foundation challenger are invaluable for students. He said that the gift supports student scholarships, so that students “have more opportunity to devote time to jazz without the added burden of having to work” outside of school.” Students can “focus on artistic development,” which allows the CSUN Jazz program to “fulfill its mission to the students and the community surrounding CSUN,” Pratt said.” [1] 

Gary Fukushima is the current head of the CSUN Jazz department and exemplifies the core values in which Gary Pratt founded this institution upon. Fukushima has been teaching at CSUN since 2005 and has taught jazz piano, jazz theory, jazz history, jazz improv, jazz combos, and private lessons. Fukushima has filled the shoes of the head of the jazz department, taking on the responsibilities of a full time faculty member without full time faculty pay. Fukushima understands the level of commitment, time management, and emotional investment that is required to run this program. Fukushima has also demonstrated a profound desire to connect and care for his students. Set by Pratt’s example, Fukushima continues to show his leadership and care for the program by making sure he is in attendance for every student’s recital and every ensemble’s concerts. The legacy of CSUN Jazz stems deeply from a tradition of intense personal care from mentors to students, a standard set by Gary Pratt.

In addition to his qualifications from being a long time faculty member of CSUN, Gary Fukushima has also taught at Pasadena City College and at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Fukushima holds a terminal degree of an MFA from CalArts, which is equivalent to a doctoral degree. He has performed worldwide with artists such as Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report), Blue Note singer Priscilla Ahn, Mia Maestro, Marilu Henner, Renee Olstead, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the Sabella Consort and many others. Fukushima also composes original music for his band GF3 and has played with Chester Thompson, Mike Stern, Anthony Jackson, Mike Shapiro, Ben Wendel, Gilad Hekselman, Ngdugu Chancler, Mark Ferber, Steve Cotter, Jeff Clayton, Sara Gazarek, Mike O’Neill, Joe La Barbara, Larry Koonse, Matt Otto, Darek Oles, Ralph Alessi, Carl Saunders, John Daversa, Kathleen Grace, Peter Epstein, Dontae Winslow, Abe Lagrimas, Roy McCurdy, Dan Rosenboom, Nick Mancini, Ben Sheppard, Dave Robaire, and Gary Pratt. 

After reviewing the three final candidates, we as a department feel that it is disrespectful and short sighted not to consider the current standing department head as a potential final candidate. The CSUN Jazz department has a history and reputation for excellence and success in the jazz community and is one of the top jazz institutions in the nation. CSUN has been known to be on the forefront of musical creativity, innovation, and progress. We feel that the three final candidates do not represent our progressive and modern improvisational atmosphere and that they are not up to the standards set forth by previous CSUN Jazz department heads, Gary Pratt, Matt Harris, and Gary Fukushima. The hiring committee and department chair of the music program are not jazz musicians, therefore we believe that it is unfair for them to adjudicate what they believe is best for the CSUN Jazz program moving forward. 

It is clear to us that in comparison to these three final candidates, Fukushima outweighs their performance and educational experience. 

All in all, regardless of the academic, professional, and musical qualifications of the candidates, Fukushima has invested his heart and soul into this program. This is a rare quality in a department head and we see the detrimental consequences of other universities who do not have this level of care in their leadership. We feel that Fukushima has demonstrated the ability to care for his students and shows his willingness to make extreme sacrifices in order to benefit and support the students of the CSUN Jazz program. Pratt has been in constant communication with Fukushima and aides in guiding the leadership responsibilities that this program entails. When Fukushima was hired by Pratt in 2005, Pratt told Fukushima that someday he would take over the department, because he understood and held true to the values and standards that this department holds so dearly. As stated by Fukushima himself, this was his dream job, not because of status or prestige, but because he understands the legacy that has come before him. He has watched and helped the program grow into what it is today. We believe that he is rightfully the sole best candidate to carry on the program into its highest potential. We stand behind him with solidarity, integrity, and faith that he will continue the legacy of the CSUN Jazz department. 

https://www.csun.edu/giving/news/herb-alpert-foundation-matching-grant-brings-100000-csun-jazz-program