Attention Student Jazz Musicians!
You are invited to compete in the 2023 Student Jazz Competition.
The divisions are College Instrumental, High School Instrumental and Jazz Vocal.
The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.
Three finalists from each division will perform in the live finals at Phineas Phogg’s, Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., Pensacola. Led by professional musician Roger Villines, the free event is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2023.
Ranging from $100 to $500, cash awards will be presented for first, second and third place in each division.
Click here to download the 2023 Student Jazz Competition application.
Click Here to download the 2023 Student Jazz Competition Flyer.
Play-Along / Backing Tracks for Student Jazz Competition Applicants
The following downloadable play-alongs / backing tracks can be used for your preliminary recordings as desired.
- Piano is panned full left, and Bass is panned full right (much like Jamey Aebersold play-alongs), so pianists and bassists can exclude the opposite instrument by adjusting the balance control.
- Most of the jazz standard recordings offer two versions: one with four choruses of the tune and one with three choruses (labeled Minus 1C), giving the applicant the option of performing one or two choruses of improvisation.
- The vocal jazz standards are two choruses in length, affording space for scat or other melodic improvisation on a portion of the second chorus.
- The vocal blues selections also have some space for scat improvisation built in as indicated on the lead sheets.
- Lead sheet PDFs, produced using Finale notation software, can also be downloaded for use with the recordings. Versions are provided for concert key treble and bass clef (BC) plus Bb and Eb instruments.
- Two backing tracks for drummers are provided, “Billie’s Bounce” for the blues and “On Green Dolphin Street” for the jazz standard.
- All of the recordings are sequenced via Apple Logic Pro using Garritan software instruments.
- Whatever tunes you choose, highly recommend listening to a rendition or two by jazz greats. This will help guide your interpretation of the style and articulation of the melody and provide ideas for improvisation.
- Commercially available play-alongs can also be used for recordings, but the tune length needs to be limited to the number of choruses specified in the application.
- Remember, it’s always a great idea and fun time to perform in a small group combo setting with friends/schoolmates.
Below are audio examples, mp3 files and lead sheet PDFs for suitable application blues and jazz standards in the instrumental and vocal divisions.
Tune List:
Instrumental Blues
Billie’s Bounce
Blue Monk
Now’s The Time
Straight No Chaser
Instrumental Jazz Standards
Autumn Leaves
Fly Me To The Moon
On Green Dolphin Street
Out Of Nowhere
Take The A Train
Jazz Vocal Blues
Kansas City
Route 66
Jazz Vocal Standards
Autumn Leaves
Fly Me To The Moon
Downloads:
Blues – High School and College Instrumental
Billie’s Bounce
Blue Monk
Now’s The Time
Straight No Chaser
Jazz Standards – High School and College Instrumental
Autumn Leaves
Fly Me To The Moon
On Green Dolphin Street
Out Of Nowhere
Take The A Train
Blues – Jazz Vocal
Kansas City
Route 66
Standards – Jazz Vocal
Autumn Leaves
Fly Me To The Moon
Questions?
Email Roger Villines at [email protected] or call Jazz Pensacola, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m,. M-Th.