ENTRIES FOR THE 2010 NATIONAL JAZZ AWARDS CLOSE ON 30 JUNE
Australia's most prestigious jazz instrumental competition, the National Jazz Awards, will put the spotlight on Australias leading young brass players this year. Trumpeters and trombonists will be vying for a spot in the final 10, who will compete at this year's Wangaratta Jazz festival in October.
The National Jazz Awards have been an integral part of Australia's premier jazz festival since Wangaratta Jazz began in 1990. This year will see a significant increase in the prize money due to the generous support of Sydney philanthropists Anthony and Susan Lee. Brass instruments have not been featured since 2003, when the first prize was awarded to Phil Slater.
Renowned jazz pianist Mike Nock will again serve as chairman of judges. Phil Slater and leading Sydney trombonist James Greening will also join the judging panel.
The following prizes are offered for the National Jazz Awards:
The winner will receive $8000 plus a studio recording session for ABC Classic FM's 'Jazztrack with Mal Stanley' and an invitation to perform in the 2011 Stonnington Jazz Festival in Melbourne.
The runner-up will receive $5000.
There will be a third prize of $2000.
Entrants must be no older than 35, as at 1 November 2010. The closing date for entries is 30 June.
For their recorded entries, and performances at the Festival, the entrants will be asked to play three pieces, including a composition by either Miles Davis, JJ Johnson, Mike Nock or John Sangster.
The Festival's artistic director, Adrian Jackson, said, This format gives the entrants plenty of options, whether to play their own compositions, to play songs that are well-known jazz standards, or to discover and learn some compositions that may not have standard status, but will provide an interesting challenge for the player, and a rewarding experience for the listener.
The judging panel will assess the recordings submitted on a blindfold basis. The ten highest-ranked entrants will then be invited to participate in the finals at the 2010 Wangaratta Jazz festival, on the weekend of 29 October - 1 November. The finals, on Sunday 31 October, will be broadcast live to air nationally on Jazztrack with Mal Stanley, on ABC Classic FM.
Entry forms can be downloaded from the festival's website
www.wangarattajazz.com