Sacramento, CA's American River College Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under Dr. Art Lapierre's leadership, has won numerous DownBeat Awards for Studen Achievement in Ensemble and Solo Singing. Previously Dr. Lapierre directed the Vocal Jazz Ensemble at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and received DownBeat Magazine recognition for directing the Polytechnic High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble in Long Beach, CA. The seven cuts on 'Autumn Gold,' recorded by the 2008 ensemble, all accompanied by a student Jazz ensemble, piano, accordion, and/or drums, are Robert Wells & Mel Torme's upbeat 'Born to Be Blue,' Miles Davis & Gil Evans' 'Boplicity, ' Ralph Burns & Woody Herman's bluesy title tune, Victor Feldman & Joe Gilman's scattish gem 'Joshua,' Darmon Meader's moody 'A Day Like This,' Paul Simon's salsa-flavored 'Me and Julio' and Richie Cole & Eddie Jefferson's slow bluesy, 'DC Farewell.' These tunes are all authentic, professionally performed Jazz with beautiful sweet, smoky vocals-in other words, great stuff!