Congratulations to the ten musicians who have been selected to participate in the finals of the 2013 National Jazz Awards : Piano at this year’s festival. They are :
Hugh Barrett, 29, from Sydney
Steve Barry, 24, from Sydney (originally from New Zealand)
Matthew Boden, 32, from Hobart
James Bowers, 24, from Melbourne
Andrew Butler, 23, from Canberra
Tal Cohen, 27, from Perth (originally from Israel)
Daniel Gassin, 32, from Melbourne (currently living in Paris)
Joseph O’Connor, 24, from Melbourne
Matthew Sheens, 26, from New York (originally from Adelaide)
Dave Spicer, 32, from Brisbane
(Ages shown are as at the 1st November 2013).
They were selected from recorded entries assessed (on a blindfold basis) by Mike Nock, Paul Grabowsky and Barney McAll, who will also be the judges for the semi-finals and finals. The finalists will be accompanied at the festival by Sam Anning (bass) and Rajiv Jayaweera (drums).
The ten finalists will perform in the first round on 2 and 3 November, with three then selected to perform in the final round, which will be broadcast live-to-air on ‘Jazztrack with Mal Stanley’, on ABC Classic FM, from 5.00-7.00pm on Sunday 3 November.
The winner will receive $10,000 ; plus a studio recording session for ‘Jazztrack with Mal Stanley’ on ABC Classic FM ; and an invitation to perform in the Stonnington Jazz festival in May 2014
The runner-up will receive $5000 ; and a recording session at Pughouse Studios in Melbourne.
The third finalist will receive a prize of $2500.
Wangaratta Jazz acknowledges the support of the National Jazz Awards by ABC Jazz, Stonnington Jazz and Pughouse Studios, and in particular the generous support of Sydney jazz lovers, Anthony and Sharon Lee.
Image of Steve Barry
