The MiraCosta College Oceanside Jazz Orchestra, commonly known as MOJO, has been recognized with a 2026 DownBeat Magazine Student Music Award for Outstanding Performance, one of the most prestigious honors in jazz education.

This latest recognition brings MOJO’s total to 10 DownBeat Student Music Awards and raises the Music Department’s overall total to 22 awards since the community college category was introduced. Previous department honors include:

• Frequency (2)
• Jazz Collective (2)
• Soloists (7)
• Student‑engineered recording (1)

This impressive track record stands as a testament to the depth and excellence of MiraCosta College’s music programs.

“I’m really proud of the students and grateful for the continued support from the college, which makes this level of work possible,” said Steve Torok, Professor of Music at MiraCosta College. “This recognition reflects not only the students’ talent and dedication, but also the strength of the learning environment that supports them.”

The DownBeat Student Music Awards are widely regarded as the premier honor in jazz education. Winners are selected through a blind adjudication process by a panel of nationally recognized jazz educators and performers. Many award recipients go on to successful careers as performers, educators, composers, and producers, with DownBeat recognition often serving as an important early milestone.

Led by faculty director Steve Torok, MOJO continues a long tradition of excellence within the MiraCosta College Music Department, which offers programs in both traditional and commercial music. The department provides performance and educational opportunities for music majors, non‑majors, and non‑traditional students planning to transfer to four‑year institutions or pursue careers in the music and creative industries.

This year, the 2026 Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference in New Orleans established an Intercollegiate Community College Honors Jazz Ensemble, an inaugural initiative featuring top students selected through a rigorous nationwide audition process. Professor Torok was selected to serve as its inaugural director, and the ensemble completed 13 hours of intensive rehearsal over 4 days, culminating in an exceptional Saturday performance alongside legendary guest artist Tom “Bones” Malone.

Each year, MiraCosta College music students graduate and go on to careers in performance, conducting, arts management, recording engineering, academic research, and more. To learn more about the Music Department or to view upcoming performances, visit our events page.