Congratulations to the ten finalists of the 2014 National Jazz Awards, have been announced. For 2014 the focus is on guitar.

 “The finals of the Awards always give audiences the chance to hear talented young musicians from around Australia, and this year including one who has been based in New York for a few years. In some cases, they have the chance to confirm an already- positive reputation. In the case of others who aren’t yet well-known, it’s a great opportunity to establish their names with jazz musicians and listeners around the country. It’s never possible to predict which three are most likely to make it through to the final round.” Adrian Jackson, The festival’s artistic director.

The finalists as at 1 October are:

•    Quentin Angus, 27, from New York (originally from Adelaide)
•    David Gooey, 30, from Melbourne
•    Ryan Griffith, 34, from Melbourne
•    Peter Koopman, 25, from Sydney
•    Paul Mason, 23, from Sydney
•    Carl Morgan, 26, from Sydney (originally from Canberra)
•    Hugh Stuckey, 29, from Melbourne (originally from Adelaide)
•    Jeremy Thomson, 22, from Perth
•    Oliver Thorpe, 22, from Sydney
•    Michael Anderson, 32, from Sydney

(Ages shown are as at the 1st November 2014).

The finalists will perform at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival (31 October – 3 November) with New York-based bassist Des White and Perth-based drummer Ben Vanderwal, with the final round on 2 November, which will also be broadcast live-to-air on Jazztrack with Mal Stanley on ABC Classic FM, from 5.00 – 7.00pm.

•    The winner will receive $12,000 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 2015
•    The runner-up will receive $6,000 and a recording session at Pughouse Studios in Melbourne.
•    The third finalist will receive a prize of $3,000.

25th Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival Festival program

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